Paint your own ceramic tile trivet or wall art at Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts Saturday

Cost is $65 plus $10 for supplies

MONROE, GA — Aspiring artists can learn a centuries-old ceramic decorating technique and create their own one-of-a-kind piece during a beginner-friendly workshop featuring guest artist Ana Leal on Saturday, Aug. 22.

The 2½-hour workshop begins at 9 a.m. at the Get Centered Pottery Studio, located at 205 South Broad St., Monroe. Participants will learn the traditional cuerda seca technique, which uses resist lines to separate areas of glaze and produces bold, colorful designs.

Each participant will work with a 6-inch bisque ceramic tile, sketch a personal design, apply resist outlines and fill the sections with glaze under Leal’s guidance. The finished piece can be used as a functional trivet, decorative wall tile or framed artwork.

No previous ceramic or glazing experience is required. The workshop includes the tile, glazes, resist materials, studio tools, instruction and firing of the finished piece.

Workshop details:

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m.
• Duration: 2½ hours
• Location: Get Centered Pottery Studio, 205 South Broad St., Monroe
• Cost: $65 per participant
• Group size: Limited to 12 participants
• Instructor: Guest artist Ana Leal
• Additional fee: $10 cash materials fee, paid directly to the instructor
• Age: The listing contains both “all ages” and “age 16+”; prospective participants should confirm the applicable age requirement when registering.
• Materials: All primary materials and firing are included; optional tile framing is not included.

Participants should arrive 5–10 minutes early and enter through the Get Centered Pottery Studio entrance at the rear of the building, accessible from the back parking lot. Comfortable clothing suitable for a working pottery studio is recommended.

The studio is located in a basement and is accessible only by stairs; there is no elevator access. Participants should be able to safely navigate the stairs and work seated or standing at a table during the workshop.

Leal, originally from Brazil and now based in Winder, discovered pottery in 2011 and developed a passion for both wheel-thrown and handbuilt ceramics. Her background also includes mechanical engineering, stained glass, silver jewelry and other artistic disciplines. She particularly enjoys creating functional pottery that is both useful and unique.

Registration: 

The workshop is $65, with a maximum of 12 participants. Cancellations made with at least three days’ notice receive a 95% refund. Event tickets and late cancellations are non-refundable unless the event is canceled by the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts. Click or tap on this link to register.