Seize the Clay Ceramics Workshop at MOCA

Seize the Clay is hosted on the first four Saturdays of the month!!

Develop your hand-building and glazing skills in this recurring ceramics class for artists of all experience levels. Low-fire clay, tools, and basic glaze options are provided. Students may also register for BYO Clay & Tools for independent work, which includes access to throwing wheels.

Ticket Types:

• General Admission: Includes instructor-led hand-building projects, materials, and one kiln firing.
• Glaze Only: Includes instructor support, glaze materials, and one kiln firing.
• BYO Clay & Tools: Materials not provided. Includes workshop access, use of throwing wheels, and one kiln firing.

Due to the ceramic process, all pieces made in class must fully dry before being bisque fired in our kiln. To glaze a piece after it has been bisque fired, students must register for a second class. Glazing is optional, pieces may also be painted or glazed at home. Please note, glazing is required for making ceramic pieces food and drink safe.

Each class includes one kiln firing for a small piece made during the workshop, either a bisque firing or a final firing.

Students may contact the museum to pick up their work no earlier than one week after their class.

Due to limited shelf space, MOCA will discard unclaimed pieces after 3 months have passed.

Register for beginner wheel-throwing classes at MOCA>>

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Reed Harper is a ceramic artist currently pursuing a master’s degree in Materials Science at the University of North Florida. His practice is rooted in experimentation, serving as a creative outlet to explore form, material, and cultural influence.

Reed began working with clay four years ago under the mentorship of Stephen Heywood and Trevor Dunn in UNF’s ceramics studio. Since then, he has embraced a wide range of making methods, including wheel throwing and hand-building, along with atmospheric firing techniques like wood and soda firing.

His aesthetic has evolved into a thoughtful blend of global pottery traditions, drawing influence from American Carolina-style bootlegging jugs, Korean Silla Dynasty pedestal bowls, and German salt-fired wares.

For Reed, ceramics is about more than just objects—it’s about process, connection, and community. He finds fulfillment in teaching and encouraging others to explore clay as a medium for creative expression, self-reflection, and cultural appreciation. He values the shared growth that comes from working alongside others in the studio, learning together not only as artists, but as people.

Currently, Reed balances his time as a lab assistant, graduate student, and line cook, while continuously developing his body of work in ceramics.

About MOCA

Located in the heart of historic Downtown, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is one of the city’s most significant cultural assets. As the oldest art museum in Northeast Florida and one of the first contemporary art museums to be established in the United States, MOCA is focused on promoting the discovery, knowledge, and advancement of the art, artists, and ideas of our time.

Among the most prominent contemporary art museums in the Southeast, MOCA’s exhibitions and programs set the pace for arts and art-integrated programming on a regional and national stage. Renowned in this community, MOCA casts the spotlight on Jacksonville as a burgeoning, vital arts destination.

The museum is also a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s multibillion-dollar downtown revitalization plan with exhibitions and programs that bring new visitors to the civic core during the day, at night, and on weekends.

If you have a disability and require an accommodation for this occasion, please contact MOCA Jacksonville at 904-620-1214 or hellomoca@unf.edu five days before the event to enable us to provide you with a reasonable accommodation for the event.

Takes place from 2-4 p.m. | Geared to an adult audience, but open to teens in the company of an adult. | Supplies Included

MOCA Members $20* | UNF Students, Faculty, and Staff $20 | Non-Members $30

If you would like to claim the MOCA Member discount, and additional perks such as complimentary parking and invites to exclusive events, become a MOCA Member today!

*The MOCA Member price does not include NARM and SEMC reciprocal members. Reciprocal members receive free general admission at MOCA Jacksonville.

Questions? Contact mocaeducation@unf.edu. If you need to speak to someone on the day of the event, please call the museum front desk at (904) 620-1214.

MOCA JACKSONVILLE PROGRAM CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

At MOCA Jacksonville, we understand that plans can change. We strive to accommodate the needs of our guests while ensuring that our events and programs continue to run smoothly for everyone involved.

Cancellation by the Guest:

• More than 2 days before the program: Full refund available minus Eventbrite ticketing fee.

• 1-2 days before the program: Refund requests must be sent to museum contact.

• Less than 24 hours before the program: Refunds are not available.

Rescheduling:

• Guests may request to be rescheduled to a later program, subject to availability, with no penalty if done more than 2 days in advance of their program.

Cancellation by MOCA Jacksonville:

• MOCA Jacksonville reserves the right to cancel any event due to unforeseen circumstances or events beyond our control. In such cases, a full refund or rescheduling option will be offered.

Notification:

• All cancellations or rescheduling requests must be made in writing to our Education Department at mocaeducation@unf.edu. Please include your event details and contact information for prompt processing.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with our cancellation policy. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience for all our guests and patrons.

MOCA JACKSONVILLE MEMBERSHIP TICKET POLICY

Ticket Allocation:

• Individual Members: Individual members are entitled to reserve or purchase one (1) member ticket for each event or program in which a member level ticket is offered.

• Dual Members and above: Dual level memberships and above are entitled to reserve or purchase two (2) member tickets per event for each event or program in which a member level ticket is offered.

• Avant Garde Circle Members and above: Members at this level and above are entitled two (2) free tickets to one program of their choice per year. Contact Development at mocadevelopment@unf.edu to reserve.

Membership Level Association

• Your membership level is directly associated with your ticket privileges. We encourage you to explore the various levels of membership to find the one that best suits your cultural interests and event attendance desires.

• Donor Circle Members may request additional event and program tickets by contacting the Development Department at mocadevelopment@unf.edu.

• Your membership number may be required to complete certain reservations. This can be found printed on your membership card. Please contact mocamembership@unf.edu if you need assistance locating your membership number.

Policy Adherence:

• We kindly ask that all members adhere to the ticket allocation policy. This ensures fairness and opportunity for all members to participate in our exclusive events.

Ticket Transfer:

• Tickets are non-transferable and are intended for use by the member(s) registered under the membership account. Identification may be required at the event entrance to match our membership records.

Enjoyment for All:

• Our policy is designed to maximize enjoyment for all our members. We believe in the power of art to connect, inspire, and engage our community.

We thank you for your understanding and for being an integral part of MOCA Jacksonville. Your support as a member allows us to continue offering a diverse range of events and programs.

Please feel free to reach out to our membership services team at mocamembership@unf.edu if you have any questions or need further clarification on your membership benefits.