The Glaze Lab, a hands-on ceramics and painting program, is held at The Manhattan Beach Art Center (MBAC) every weekend from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. with the exception of holidays and gallery installation. The program is a public,interactive space that offers a fun-filled experience where participants of all ages can explore their creativity through ceramics, painting, and artistry.
This event offers a creative experience where participants can craft their own one-of-a-kind ceramic art piece, while learning about the process of creating ceramic pieces. Participants can choose from premade ceramic pieces like tiles, mugs, bowls, figurines, and planters. Then, they select colors from various options on the glaze wall display to customize and personalize their ceramic piece. Participants are offered a selection of different types of brushes and stamps that they can use to design and decorate their work.
MBAC offers different paint colors and provides examples of the colors once finished.
Once they are done customizing their piece, the MBAC staff set out the art to dry for about a day. When the art is dry, staff preheat their kiln, a thermally insulated chamber that reaches high temperatures to fire things like pottery and bricks, and for drying. The kiln reaches roughly 2000℉ to flame the art, which is a five to six-hour process where the silica in the glaze melts, allowing the glaze to flow and fuse to the ceramics. After the flaming process, the art pieces are set out to dry for about a week. Participants then pick up their pieces and take them home once they’re ready to be used.
MBAC has been hosting this event for almost a year and a half, encouraging hundreds of blooming artists to express their creativity through art. The event is funded by the city, and organized by MB Parks and Recreation staff and volunteers. The cost includes the ceramic, glaze, and flaming, starting at $15 but varies on each ceramic piece. Based on public interest and feedback, MBAC introduces new premade ceramic pieces and glaze colors monthly to inspire creativity and maintain a variety of options.
Although there are only two glaze stations, leading to long lines and bigger crowds, the activity offers private party bookings. The event draws a lot of attention from families with younger children, but offers activities for everyone, regardless of age. It’s a great weekend activity for anyone interested in an introduction to ceramics, and creating their unique art. The program is a fantastic option for those who are interested in experimenting with a new style of art. Each unique piece is dishwasher and microwave-safe and can be used for almost anything.
The event supports the city and the local art communities, including those who make the premade ceramic pieces for the activity. The MBAC believes that art is vital to a community, offering art displays and exhibits all year round. These exhibits feature artwork from local artists who submit their art to the Annual Community Exhibition (ACE) to display their talents and skills, including painting, photography, sculptures, and ceramics submissions.
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