Art & Design Workshops

IAI is excited to introduce the next workshop in our Art & Design Enrichment series. This upcoming offering provides a welcoming, small‑group studio experience where participants learn new skills, experiment with materials, and create finished pieces in a supportive, instructor‑led environment.

🍂 Fall Pottery Workshop — 4‑Week Sessions

Industrial Arts Institute — 20902 Washington Street, Onaway, MI

👨‍🏫 Instructor: Joe Donna, Industrial Arts Institute Resident Artist
📅 Schedule: Four Thursdays, 5:30–8:30 PM
🗓 Session 1 Dates: Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 8, Oct. 15, 2026
🗓 Session 2 Dates: Oct. 22, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12, 2026
(Participants from Session 1 are encouraged to continue on to Session 2; new participants may join at that time as well.)
⏰ Duration: 3 hours per session
💲 Cost: $75 per 4‑week session (includes artist‑guided instruction, clay, kiln access, and studio supplies)
👥 Class Size: 8–10 participants

Class Description

Fall Pottery Workshop is a hands‑on, boutique‑style workshop designed for adults interested in learning the art of pottery. Over four weeks, participants develop foundational skills, explore creative hand‑building techniques, and gain introductory experience with wheel throwing. Under the guidance of Resident Artist Joe Donna, participants work at their own pace in a relaxed, supportive studio environment.

This workshop is ideal for beginners or anyone seeking a creative, tactile experience with clay — whether hand‑building, experimenting with surface textures, or trying the wheel for the first time.

All tools, clay, and necessary materials will be provided.

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.

 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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