Kids Clay Pottery Class at Chu Chu!

Explore clay with Mapi from Chu Chu Chinatown and learn the properties and techniques of pottery through fun projects!  

Ages: 9-12
Max: 8 students
Pick-up from Lord Strathcona Elementary for FREE!

We will explore how to create trinket plates, play with textures, marble different colours, small sculptures and more!  Air-dry clay will be used to hone our skills and at least one project will be made with pottery clay that will be glazed and fired in a kiln.  Small projects will be completed in one class, other’s may require drying time and finishing in the second class.

All materials included: clay, paint, underglazes, clear glaze, kiln firings

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Examples of potential projects:
Trinket plates with real leaves imprints
Textured and patterned pencil holders
Miniature sculptures of pets or creatures
Marbled clay pinch pots
Tictac Toe gameboard
Treasure Box with lid
Name plate
Charms for pins or magnets
Dry erase marker board

*Fall session will include a Halloween project.
*Winter session will include a Christmas/Holiday project.

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Class schedule:
3:00-3:05pm – meet outside Lord Strathcona Elementary school (Mapi will have a flag)
Put on emergency lanyards, roll call|
3:05-3:15pm – walk to Chu Chu Chinatown
3:15-3:30pm – snack time (provided by parents)
3:30-4:45pm – clay workshop
4:45-5:00pm – clean up
5:00pm – pick up

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Kids Class Policy

1. Our classes are designed for ages 9-12, unfortunately we can not accept kids younger than 9 as it will not be suitable for them.
2. Parents/guardians will be sent a form to register their kid after the class has been purchased.  This will include kid's name, their birthday, teacher's name and parent's phone number, email, emergency 2^nd contact and agreement permission (including allergies, sensitivities, etc).  We understand that some of this info will not be available until closer to the school's start date.
3. Parents will be required to review the code of conduct prior to the session's start with their kids, our instructor will review this in the first class and repeat if necessary.
4. Pick up at Lord Strathcona Elementary is FREE, the instructor will walk the kids to the studio.  Kids will wear a lanyard with instructor's name/phone number, studio address, emergency contact while walking to the studio.
5. Parents agree that a late fee will be applied if their kid is late for pick at Lord Strathcona Elementary of $15 for the first 15min or part therefor, $1/min after 15min
6. Parents agree that a late fee will be applied if they pick up their kid late at Chu Chu Chinatown, $15 for the first 15min or part therefor, $1/min after 15min
7. All instructors have a current Vulnerable Sector criminal check from VPD
8. We ask to be informed a least a day before if your kid is missing class the next day. Missed classes are not pro-rated or refunded.  Materials may be sent home (at the instructor's discretion) missed project.
9. If the instructor sick, parents will be emailed and/or called and a refund for the missed class will be issued.
10. We kindly ask that snacks provided do not contain peanut products
11. We encourage parents to book two back-to-back 6-week session in a row as projects are not repeated 

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About the Artist:

Vancouver-based Colombian self-taught sculptor and potter Mapi Acuña comes from a long lineage of artists. Her life has been full of creative practice including a career in media arts, a major in photography, culinary arts and later in life, a passion developed in clay sculpture work.

What sparked an unexpected career shift was a pivotal moment when she discovered sculpting through modelling chocolate. What began as a playful experiment quickly evolved into a genuine passion for three-dimensional form and figurative expression.

By the end of 2023, Mapi embraced ceramics as her primary medium, finding in clay the permanence, depth, and expressive possibilities she had been seeking. Working under the name Phenomena Sculpture & Ceramics, she creates figurative sculptures that celebrate the beauty, emotion, and complexity of the human form.

In addition to her studio practice, Mapi has spent the past five years working with children as a daycare chef, teaching private art classes, and hosting creative birthday parties. She especially enjoys working with young artists, finding their honesty, kindness, and boundless creativity both inspiring and deeply rewarding. She is passionate about nurturing young artists, encouraging their curiosity and self-expression while helping them build confidence through the creative process.

Instagram: phenomena_phenomena