October 25, 2010

Craft Shop plans ceramics, violin workshops

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Craft Shop at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Student Center is offering a pair of special workshops in coming days and anyone can enjoy the chance to make one-of-a-kind ceramics or their very own violin.

A ceramics workshop includes five sessions with instruction on the pottery wheel. The class begins Tuesday, Oct. 26, and meets each Tuesday evening through Nov. 30. There is no class on Nov. 23, however. Lessons are 6:30-8:30 p.m. Participants will learn about wheel throwing vessels, constructing projects, using the pottery wheel and the glazing and firing process. Rachel Sonenblum is the instructor.

For more information or to sign up, visit the Craft Shop on the lower level of the Student Center, call 618/453-3636 or look online at www.siucstudentcenter.org/ceramics.

The cost of the workshop is $35 for SIUC students or $45 for anyone else. There will also be a cost of approximately $10-$20 per session for clay and materials. Private lessons are available by request as well.

You can also learn to make a violin at the Craft Shop. You can craft your very own violin from a kit or rebuild a violin you already have during Violin Making workshop beginning Nov. 4. The workshop meets 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays, Nov. 4 and 18, Dec. 9 and 16, Jan. 20 and 27, and Feb. 3, 10,17 and 24.

Participants will learn how to begin building a fine instrument, the tricks for doing it right, adjusting the plate frequency, shaping the wood to assure optimal tone quality, and much more. Or, you can repair, rebuild and refinish a violin already on hand. You’ll need to work on the project outside of class too to get it completed.

Ron Dunkel is the instructor. Organizers recommend early registration for this workshop. The cost is $65 for the workshop. The fee is due a week before class starts to ensure a spot. You can purchase a violin kit for $60. For more information or to register stop by the Craft Shop, call 618/453-3636 or look online at www.siucstudentcenter.org/violin-making.

You can also email craftshp@siu.edu or visit the website at http://www.siucstudentcenter.org/craft-shop to find out more about these workshops or any of the numerous activities and workshops at the Craft Shop.