Family Clay Sunday

The Willamette Art Center is making a difference in the lives of children in our community. With as many as 100 participants each week, Family Clay Sunday is providing an important and necessary art education opportunity, and giving parents quality family time at a very low cost.

Empty Bowls

Artists from the Willamette Art Center and throughout the community create over 1,500 bowls each year to be sold at this annual benefit sale for Marion Polk Food Share (MPFS). In the past seven years, Empty Bowls has raised over $170,000 to benefit MPFS and the people they serve.

Hours

Monday-Thursday
10am – 8pm (open studio)

Friday-Saturday
10am – 5pm (open studio)

Sunday
1pm – 4pm (Family Clay Sunday only)

Salem’s Community Arts Center

The Willamette Art Center (WAC) is located at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. We offer exciting art classes and workshops, studio space for artists, and just plain fun for all ages. The WAC operates as the public face of the Friends of the Visual Arts which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving our community through art and art access — we are a place to learn and grow in the arts!

Thank You

The Willamette Art Center thanks all of our volunteers, students, and donors for your support. Your participation in classes, volunteering at events, and financial support is the reason the WAC thrives and has grown tremendously since opening to the Salem community in 2006.

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Smiles happen every day at WAC

  • Have you always wanted to take a beginning wheel throwing or handbuilding pottery class? Want to continue your clay adventure? Now’s your chance. Summer classes are available online and in the studio at the Willamette Art Center. Sign up today at www.willametteartcenter.com. Classes start June 12. Open studio, a bag of clay and 10 firing tickets included with each class. Join us and let your creativity shine!
    2 weeks ago
  • 1st Annual Willamette Art Center “Moms Do Clay Day" Workshop Fire up your creativity on Mother's Day! Join us for the 1st Annual Willamette Art Center "Moms Do Clay Day." Learn something new and create a "Buddy Vase or Planter," a unique pottery piece to be cherished for years to come. Our instructors will walk you through simple techniques - no skill or experience necessary. Invite a friend and/or your mom, sister, aunt, grandmother too. The work you make will be glazed, fired and ready within about 2 weeks. Space is limited and pre-registration in the studio or online is required. The fee is $45 per person which includes all materials and firing. Must be 18 or older. Gift cards are available - make a great Mother's Day gift. #mothersday #ceramic
    3 weeks ago
  • For Family Clay Sunday this weekend we are going to make hanging fish portraits with a focus on surface design! Come play with tools & add texture. Only 2 project left this season! #familyclaysunday #ceramic
    4 weeks ago
  • Featured artist of the week is Ann Altman. Her name is known as an artist, however not for her work in clay. Her best known work was done with oil pastels featuring bright colors and a folk-art feel. These works can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the Northwest and beyond.The artist says: Being relatively new to clay, she finds working in three dimensions a challenge. Other people might wish to master wheel throwing, but hand-building suits her best. Her motivation is to arrive at a skill level where the some of the ideas she has approached as a 2-D artist can be realized in 3 dimensions. But the clay has a mind of its own. As the fingers move the clay around, objects take shape. The process is full of surprises - most of them positive. Most work has been fired and glazed mid-range. Color is an important aspect of the pieces. She enjoys taking WAC classes, learning much from teachers and students alike.Ann currently has her art created from Winter Term’s Totem Class on display at the WAC. #artistoftheweek #ceramicsofinstagram
    1 month ago
Have you always wanted to take a beginning wheel throwing or handbuilding pottery class? Want to continue your clay adventure? Now’s your chance. Summer classes are available online and in the studio at the Willamette Art Center. Sign up today at www.willametteartcenter.com. Classes start June 12. Open studio, a bag of clay and 10 firing tickets included with each class. Join us and let your creativity shine!
Have you always wanted to take a beginning wheel throwing or handbuilding pottery class? Want to continue your clay adventure? Now’s your chance. Summer classes are available online and in the studio at the Willamette Art Center. Sign up today at www.willametteartcenter.com. Classes start June 12. Open studio, a bag of clay and 10 firing tickets included with each class. Join us and let your creativity shine!
2 weeks ago
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1/4
1st Annual Willamette Art Center “Moms Do Clay Day" Workshop Fire up your creativity on Mother's Day! Join us for the 1st Annual Willamette Art Center "Moms Do Clay Day." Learn something new and create a "Buddy Vase or Planter," a unique pottery piece to be cherished for years to come. Our instructors will walk you through simple techniques - no skill or experience necessary. Invite a friend and/or your mom, sister, aunt, grandmother too. The work you make will be glazed, fired and ready within about 2 weeks. Space is limited and pre-registration in the studio or online is required. The fee is $45 per person which includes all materials and firing. Must be 18 or older. Gift cards are available - make a great Mother's Day gift. #mothersday #ceramic
1st Annual Willamette Art Center “Moms Do Clay Day" Workshop Fire up your creativity on Mother's Day! Join us for the 1st Annual Willamette Art Center "Moms Do Clay Day." Learn something new and create a "Buddy Vase or Planter," a unique pottery piece to be cherished for years to come. Our instructors will walk you through simple techniques - no skill or experience necessary. Invite a friend and/or your mom, sister, aunt, grandmother too. The work you make will be glazed, fired and ready within about 2 weeks. Space is limited and pre-registration in the studio or online is required. The fee is $45 per person which includes all materials and firing. Must be 18 or older. Gift cards are available - make a great Mother's Day gift. #mothersday #ceramic
1st Annual Willamette Art Center “Moms Do Clay Day" Workshop Fire up your creativity on Mother's Day! Join us for the 1st Annual Willamette Art Center "Moms Do Clay Day." Learn something new and create a "Buddy Vase or Planter," a unique pottery piece to be cherished for years to come. Our instructors will walk you through simple techniques - no skill or experience necessary. Invite a friend and/or your mom, sister, aunt, grandmother too. The work you make will be glazed, fired and ready within about 2 weeks. Space is limited and pre-registration in the studio or online is required. The fee is $45 per person which includes all materials and firing. Must be 18 or older. Gift cards are available - make a great Mother's Day gift. #mothersday #ceramic
1st Annual Willamette Art Center “Moms Do Clay Day" Workshop Fire up your creativity on Mother's Day! Join us for the 1st Annual Willamette Art Center "Moms Do Clay Day." Learn something new and create a "Buddy Vase or Planter," a unique pottery piece to be cherished for years to come. Our instructors will walk you through simple techniques - no skill or experience necessary. Invite a friend and/or your mom, sister, aunt, grandmother too. The work you make will be glazed, fired and ready within about 2 weeks. Space is limited and pre-registration in the studio or online is required. The fee is $45 per person which includes all materials and firing. Must be 18 or older. Gift cards are available - make a great Mother's Day gift. #mothersday #ceramic
1st Annual Willamette Art Center “Moms Do Clay Day" Workshop Fire up your creativity on Mother's Day! Join us for the 1st Annual Willamette Art Center "Moms Do Clay Day." Learn something new and create a "Buddy Vase or Planter," a unique pottery piece to be cherished for years to come. Our instructors will walk you through simple techniques - no skill or experience necessary. Invite a friend and/or your mom, sister, aunt, grandmother too. The work you make will be glazed, fired and ready within about 2 weeks. Space is limited and pre-registration in the studio or online is required. The fee is $45 per person which includes all materials and firing. Must be 18 or older. Gift cards are available - make a great Mother's Day gift. #mothersday #ceramic
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
For Family Clay Sunday this weekend we are going to make hanging fish portraits with a focus on surface design! Come play with tools & add texture. Only 2 project left this season! #familyclaysunday #ceramic
For Family Clay Sunday this weekend we are going to make hanging fish portraits with a focus on surface design! Come play with tools & add texture. Only 2 project left this season! #familyclaysunday #ceramic
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
Featured artist of the week is Ann Altman. Her name is known as an artist, however not for her work in clay. Her best known work was done with oil pastels featuring bright colors and a folk-art feel. These works can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the Northwest and beyond.The artist says: Being relatively new to clay, she finds working in three dimensions a challenge. Other people might wish to master wheel throwing, but hand-building suits her best. Her motivation is to arrive at a skill level where the some of the ideas she has approached as a 2-D artist can be realized in 3 dimensions. But the clay has a mind of its own. As the fingers move the clay around, objects take shape. The process is full of surprises - most of them positive. Most work has been fired and glazed mid-range. Color is an important aspect of the pieces. She enjoys taking WAC classes, learning much from teachers and students alike.Ann currently has her art created from Winter Term’s Totem Class on display at the WAC. #artistoftheweek #ceramicsofinstagram
Featured artist of the week is Ann Altman. Her name is known as an artist, however not for her work in clay. Her best known work was done with oil pastels featuring bright colors and a folk-art feel. These works can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the Northwest and beyond.The artist says: Being relatively new to clay, she finds working in three dimensions a challenge. Other people might wish to master wheel throwing, but hand-building suits her best. Her motivation is to arrive at a skill level where the some of the ideas she has approached as a 2-D artist can be realized in 3 dimensions. But the clay has a mind of its own. As the fingers move the clay around, objects take shape. The process is full of surprises - most of them positive. Most work has been fired and glazed mid-range. Color is an important aspect of the pieces. She enjoys taking WAC classes, learning much from teachers and students alike.Ann currently has her art created from Winter Term’s Totem Class on display at the WAC. #artistoftheweek #ceramicsofinstagram
Featured artist of the week is Ann Altman. Her name is known as an artist, however not for her work in clay. Her best known work was done with oil pastels featuring bright colors and a folk-art feel. These works can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the Northwest and beyond.The artist says: Being relatively new to clay, she finds working in three dimensions a challenge. Other people might wish to master wheel throwing, but hand-building suits her best. Her motivation is to arrive at a skill level where the some of the ideas she has approached as a 2-D artist can be realized in 3 dimensions. But the clay has a mind of its own. As the fingers move the clay around, objects take shape. The process is full of surprises - most of them positive. Most work has been fired and glazed mid-range. Color is an important aspect of the pieces. She enjoys taking WAC classes, learning much from teachers and students alike.Ann currently has her art created from Winter Term’s Totem Class on display at the WAC. #artistoftheweek #ceramicsofinstagram
Featured artist of the week is Ann Altman. Her name is known as an artist, however not for her work in clay. Her best known work was done with oil pastels featuring bright colors and a folk-art feel. These works can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the Northwest and beyond.The artist says: Being relatively new to clay, she finds working in three dimensions a challenge. Other people might wish to master wheel throwing, but hand-building suits her best. Her motivation is to arrive at a skill level where the some of the ideas she has approached as a 2-D artist can be realized in 3 dimensions. But the clay has a mind of its own. As the fingers move the clay around, objects take shape. The process is full of surprises - most of them positive. Most work has been fired and glazed mid-range. Color is an important aspect of the pieces. She enjoys taking WAC classes, learning much from teachers and students alike.Ann currently has her art created from Winter Term’s Totem Class on display at the WAC. #artistoftheweek #ceramicsofinstagram
Featured artist of the week is Ann Altman. Her name is known as an artist, however not for her work in clay. Her best known work was done with oil pastels featuring bright colors and a folk-art feel. These works can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the Northwest and beyond.The artist says: Being relatively new to clay, she finds working in three dimensions a challenge. Other people might wish to master wheel throwing, but hand-building suits her best. Her motivation is to arrive at a skill level where the some of the ideas she has approached as a 2-D artist can be realized in 3 dimensions. But the clay has a mind of its own. As the fingers move the clay around, objects take shape. The process is full of surprises - most of them positive. Most work has been fired and glazed mid-range. Color is an important aspect of the pieces. She enjoys taking WAC classes, learning much from teachers and students alike.Ann currently has her art created from Winter Term’s Totem Class on display at the WAC. #artistoftheweek #ceramicsofinstagram
Featured artist of the week is Ann Altman. Her name is known as an artist, however not for her work in clay. Her best known work was done with oil pastels featuring bright colors and a folk-art feel. These works can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the Northwest and beyond.The artist says: Being relatively new to clay, she finds working in three dimensions a challenge. Other people might wish to master wheel throwing, but hand-building suits her best. Her motivation is to arrive at a skill level where the some of the ideas she has approached as a 2-D artist can be realized in 3 dimensions. But the clay has a mind of its own. As the fingers move the clay around, objects take shape. The process is full of surprises - most of them positive. Most work has been fired and glazed mid-range. Color is an important aspect of the pieces. She enjoys taking WAC classes, learning much from teachers and students alike.Ann currently has her art created from Winter Term’s Totem Class on display at the WAC. #artistoftheweek #ceramicsofinstagram
Featured artist of the week is Ann Altman. Her name is known as an artist, however not for her work in clay. Her best known work was done with oil pastels featuring bright colors and a folk-art feel. These works can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the Northwest and beyond.The artist says: Being relatively new to clay, she finds working in three dimensions a challenge. Other people might wish to master wheel throwing, but hand-building suits her best. Her motivation is to arrive at a skill level where the some of the ideas she has approached as a 2-D artist can be realized in 3 dimensions. But the clay has a mind of its own. As the fingers move the clay around, objects take shape. The process is full of surprises - most of them positive. Most work has been fired and glazed mid-range. Color is an important aspect of the pieces. She enjoys taking WAC classes, learning much from teachers and students alike.Ann currently has her art created from Winter Term’s Totem Class on display at the WAC. #artistoftheweek #ceramicsofinstagram
Featured artist of the week is Ann Altman. Her name is known as an artist, however not for her work in clay. Her best known work was done with oil pastels featuring bright colors and a folk-art feel. These works can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the Northwest and beyond.The artist says: Being relatively new to clay, she finds working in three dimensions a challenge. Other people might wish to master wheel throwing, but hand-building suits her best. Her motivation is to arrive at a skill level where the some of the ideas she has approached as a 2-D artist can be realized in 3 dimensions. But the clay has a mind of its own. As the fingers move the clay around, objects take shape. The process is full of surprises - most of them positive. Most work has been fired and glazed mid-range. Color is an important aspect of the pieces. She enjoys taking WAC classes, learning much from teachers and students alike.Ann currently has her art created from Winter Term’s Totem Class on display at the WAC. #artistoftheweek #ceramicsofinstagram
Featured artist of the week is Ann Altman. Her name is known as an artist, however not for her work in clay. Her best known work was done with oil pastels featuring bright colors and a folk-art feel. These works can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the Northwest and beyond. The artist says: Being relatively new to clay, she finds working in three dimensions a challenge. Other people might wish to master wheel throwing, but hand-building suits her best. Her motivation is to arrive at a skill level where the some of the ideas she has approached as a 2-D artist can be realized in 3 dimensions. But the clay has a mind of its own. As the fingers move the clay around, objects take shape. The process is full of surprises - most of them positive. Most work has been fired and glazed mid-range. Color is an important aspect of the pieces. She enjoys taking WAC classes, learning much from teachers and students alike. Ann currently has her art created from Winter Term’s Totem Class on display at the WAC. #artistoftheweek #ceramicsofinstagram
1 month ago
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announcements

New Drum Workshop Added!

Due to popular demand, we are offering another 2-day Drum Workshop in July with Jim Ransom starting on Tuesdays: July 11, 5:30-8:30PM & July 13, 6-7PM.

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