Art & Design Workshops
The Industrial Arts Institute continues to expand our Art & Design Workshop series, offering structured, hobby‑based creative sessions in a studio environment. These workshops provide hands‑on instruction for individuals in the community who want to explore process‑driven art disciplines within an industrial campus setting.
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.
IAI is excited to introduce the next workshop in our Art & Design Enrichment series.
Holiday Paint-Your-Own Pottery Class
Get into the holiday spirit and create something truly special!
Join instructor Sadiee Jacobs for a fun and festive evening of painting your own holiday pottery piece. Choose from a selection of Christmas-themed bisque pottery and transform it into a one-of-a-kind decoration, keepsake, or handmade gift.
Whether you’re creating a festive piece for your home, a unique ornament for the tree, or a thoughtful Christmas gift, you’ll leave with something meaningful and uniquely yours.
✨ Choose Your Piece
🎨 Paint It Your Way
🔥 We’ll Handle the Firing
No prior experience is needed. Sadiee will guide you through the process while encouraging your creativity and personal style.
Class Details
📅 Date: November 19, 2026
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
💲 Cost: $50 per person
🎁 Includes: One holiday-themed bisque pottery piece, paints, glazing, firing, and instruction
Space is limited. Reserve your seat early and enjoy a relaxing evening of creativity, holiday cheer, and handmade memories.
Create. Paint. Celebrate the Season.
Spring 2027 Pottery Workshops
Pottery is returning to Industrial Arts Institute in Spring 2027. Explore wheel throwing, hand building, glazing, and ceramic artistry through hands-on workshops designed for beginners and experienced makers alike.
Details and registration information will be released soon.
Coming Spring 2027 | All Skill Levels Welcome | Limited Seating
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.
2026 Summer Raku Pottery Workshop Photo Gallery
The first Raku pottery workshop is officially in the books, closing out with a bonus kiln‑firing day that brought incredible final results. Enjoy the highlights in this photo gallery and see how our inaugural Raku workshop transformed clay, glaze, and flame into finished work.
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