Art & Design Enrichment
The Industrial Arts Institute is adding a new Art & Design Enrichment series to our offerings, focused on structured, hobby‑based creative workshops. These offerings enhance our capabilities by providing structured, hobby‑based workshops for individuals in the community who are interested in hands‑on creative work conducted in a professional studio environment.
These workshops are being developed to include a range of art and design disciplines such as pottery, ceramics, Raku, and other process‑driven creative methods that align with our facilities and instructional strengths. Each session is led by experienced artists who provide demonstrations, guided project development, and clear, practical instruction appropriate for hobby‑level participation.
Participants can expect technique‑focused instruction, small class sizes, and dedicated studio time to complete their work. As this enrichment series grows, additional workshops will be introduced to broaden the creative options available. IAI’s Arts Enrichment programming serves as a community resource, providing structured, skill‑building creative experiences that complement the institute’s broader mission while remaining distinctly hobby‑focused.
The first workshop in this series is Raku pottery, a three‑session experience focused on forming, glazing, and firing using the traditional Raku method. Participants complete finished pieces at the end of the workshop. The sessions are led by Joe Donna — MFA in Ceramics, Master’s in Photography, and seasoned Raku Artist — whose background blends technical mastery with hands‑on creative practice.
Raku Workshop
Industrial Arts Institute – 20902 Washington Street, Onaway, MI
Instructor: Joe Donna, MFA in Ceramics, Master’s in Photography, and Raku Artist
Schedule: One day per week, 3 weeks (June 17th, 24th, and July 1st, 2026)
Time: 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Cost: $75 (includes reasonable amounts of clay, studio supplies, and raku firing)
Class Size: 8–10 participants
Class Description
This workshop will introduce the participant to the process of creating Raku-fired pottery. The workshop will involve creating items from clay, glazing them, and firing them. It will be open to all levels of experience, from a “first-time exposure to creating something from clay” to the well-seasoned potter. The workshop will consist of three class periods, one day per week for three weeks.
* All tools, clay, and other necessary materials will be provided. *
About the Instructor — 𝗝𝗼𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗮
Joe Donna is a New York–born, Detroit‑raised artist whose career spans ceramics, photography, and large‑format image making. He earned his MFA in Ceramics from Michigan State University and later completed his Master’s in Photography, grounding his work in both technical mastery and creative exploration.
With more than three decades of teaching experience, Joe taught at Kirkland Community College for 27 years and continues to serve as adjunct faculty at Alpena Community College, where he has taught art for over 36 years. His teaching blends hands‑on studio work, critique, and technical demonstrations that inspire creativity in learners of all levels.
As an artist, Joe works across mediums but is especially recognized for his innovative photographic work — including his restoration and adaptation of a 1,000‑pound historic process camera to create striking 16×20‑inch large‑format negatives. His work has been featured in national exhibitions, private collections, ArtPrize installations, and regional museum shows.
Joe serves as the Industrial Arts Institute’s Resident Artist, and we are excited to see him bring his creativity and technical experience to this new hands‑on art exploration.
We’re gearing up for the next wave of community Art & Design workshops. Fresh sessions are being shaped behind the scenes, combining creative exploration with the Industrial Arts Institute’s signature hands‑on approach. Watch this space — new workshops will be posted here soon.
