Programmatic Focus

Ceramics

Ah Haa School for the Arts Ceramics Program has foundational core offerings in functional pottery and youth & teen skill building. At the discovery level, students are passionate about the process; finding rhythm in wheel throwing, handling tactile materials, and experiencing the power of handbuilding. The Pottery Sampler Class is the essential way to discover your passion for ceramics. Exploration and Enhancement level students challenge their skills base, hone fundamentals and try their hands at advanced techniques with access to artist workshops and the Open Studio program.

A cornerstone of Telluride’s creative community, Ah Haa Ceramics is an incubator for emerging and established ceramic artists. Ah Haa’s purpose built facility secured 12 wheels, slab roller, handbuilding tables, extruder, three electric cone 6 kilns and a glazing kitchen in the heart of Telluride. Ah Haa’s commitment is to create opportunities for access to hands-on arts spaces for those looking to create.

Ah Haa is a New Mexico Clay and Spectrum Glazes supplier along with various ceramics tools!

Director Tara Carter, tara@ahhaa.org

CORE CLASSES: Pottery Sampler, Date WITH CLAY, Open Studio

Ceramics Classes

Culinary Arts

With the overarching goal of cultivating community, cultural connection and a sense of place, Ah Haa’s culinary offerings bring people together at a fundamental touchpoint – the preparing and sharing food. As a resource for skill building, sustainable practices and connective storytelling with chefs, cooks, farmers, winemakers; Ah Haa nourishes and nurtures culinary students of all ages and skill levels.

Partnerships with sommeliers, award winning chefs and local legends create rare opportunities for hands-on learning in small class sizes. Programs like Local’s Lunch & Seasonal Suppers are an intimate invitation into our kitchen, to connect with a local chef or home cook while they demonstrate their favorite recipe. This is a great opportunity to learn about the culinary traditions of the guest chef, gain new skills, and connect with other community members.

DIRECTOR JESS NEWENS, jess@ahhaa.org

CORE CLASSES: LOCALS’ LUNCH, WINE FOR EVERYONE, FOUNDATIONAL COOKING

Culinary Classes

Visual Arts

Painting, drawing, textile arts, printmaking, jewelry and mixed media offerings create Ah Haa’s well rounded visual arts program. A purposeful focus on contemporary art in the Four Corners Region gives learners new opportunities to connect with the creative community, culture and landscape in the Southwest.

Ah Haa’s contemporary, responsive programming approach brings relevant practices and topics in the visual arts field to the forefront, allowing individuals to develop, explore, and enrich their creative and artistic proficiencies. Participants gain a new appreciation of how art is experienced and found in everyday life and its current significance in our greater communities.

Director Maggie Stevens, maggie@ahhaa.org

CORE CLASSES: PAINTING FROM WITHIN, FIGURE DRAWING OPEN STUDIO, SILVERSMITHING

VISUAL ARTS CLASSES

YOUTH + Teen

Experiential learning is the cornerstone of Ah Haa School for the Arts Youth and Teen Programming. Young people are given access to tools and resources to locate and develop their creative voice with a focus on process over product. Our instructors, at 1 to 5 student ratio, provide youth with a sense of creative autonomy, new outlooks, access to different artistic voices, and facilitate a safe learning space. Programs are offered in group settings, small group happenings, open studios for emerging artists and connection based learning.

Program Manager Lulu Priddy lulu@ahhaa.org

CORE CLASSES: ART POSSIBILITIES AFTER SCHOOL, NO SCHOOL ART DAYS, SUMMER CAMPS

YOUTH & TEEN CLASSES

Bookbinding

The American Academy of Bookbinding is an internationally known diploma-oriented bookbinding school where students of all levels have the opportunity to initiate and improve their skills in a generous and supportive learning environment.

We offer one- and two-week intensive courses in the art of fine leather binding, book repair, paper conservation, book history, and other related subjects taught by some of the most experienced and highly regarded bookbinders and conservators in the world.

Managing Director Chip Schilling, CHIP@ahhaa.org

CORE CLASSES: Book Arts, Fine Leather Binding, Book Conservation

AAB COURSES