Josette Urso Workshop

Workshops in Partnership with the Tampa Museum of Art (TMA)

Adults 55+ | Beginner-Intermediate Level | Photography: A Moment in Time | Working with still life, self-portraits, and close-up abstract images, students will learn the basics of photography while drawing inspiration from the exhibition Avant Garde: Remarkable Women (in the Permanent Collection). Sundays | 1:00 – 4:00 PM Class Dates | June 7– June 28 (4 classes). Classes held @ Firehouse Annex. Instructor: Deborah Rodriguez

Link to Firehouse Page listing all TMA Workshops.

SPRING 2026 FCC CLASSES:

Figure Drawing Group. Second and Fourth Thursday of the month, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm., beginning Thursday, January 8, 2026. Look through the Figure Drawing Landing Page. Call 813-645-7651 or book online, $15 cash tuition is due at the door. Strengthen your skills in our monitored figure drawing session with a variety of timed poses. Bring your chalk, paint, charcoal or pencil, you choose the medium! Model varies by session. Open to all (18 and up).

Open Pottery Studio For a Tuesday or Thursday morning session, or Thursday Evening session: Look through the Open Pottery Studio Landing Page. Call 813-645-7651 or book online. 9:30 am – Noon, Tuesdays or Thursdays, OR Thursday Evening from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. March – Dec 18, 2025. 4 session fee, each day is it’s own session.
Open Pottery Studio – a supervised, creative space where potters of all skill levels can explore, practice, and perfect their craft. This monitored environment ensures safety and support while offering access to professional-grade tools, wheels, and kilns. Whether you are hand-building, throwing, or glazing, our staff is available during all open studio hours to assist, answer questions, and maintain a safe, respectful studio atmosphere. Must have class experience to attend. Adults.

Intro to the Pottery Wheel  You’ll discover the joy of working with clay in this hands-on, beginner to intermediate course focused on the fundamentals of wheel throwing. In 5 weeks, you’ll learn how to center clay, pull walls, and shape basic forms like bowls, mugs, and cylinders. We’ll also cover trimming, surface decoration, and glazing techniques so you can finish and fire your own unique pieces. No experience necessary – just bring your curiosity and willingness to get your hands dirty! Includes 25 lbs. of clay, glaze and firing.
Thursdays, May 7 – June 4 (5 weeks).

Garden Glass Fusing – May 19 Flower Garden Glass Fusing. You choose your pattern and colors in creating your colorful glass garden creation. This 4 x 6 glass art will brighten any room or window. Tuesday, May 19th from 10:00 – 11:30 am. This class will be in the FCC ANNEX.

Kids Pottery Class – 3-Session Series for Homeschool. Ages 5 to 9 – Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing in this fun and interactive 3-session pottery series designed just for kids! Tuesdays, May 19, June 2 & 16, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

From Mud to Magic – Kids Pottery Ages 10 and Up Mud to Magic Kids Pottery Class – 3-Session Series for HOMESCHOOL. Ages 10 and Up – Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing in this fun and interactive 3-session pottery series designed just for kids! Tuesdays, May 26, June 9 & June 23, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm..

Ocean Wave Jewelry Create a beautiful ocean wave bracelet and pair of drop earrings with pearl accents, sized just for your wrist or desired earring length. Choose from a variety of freshwater and glass pearls in a wide selection of colors and sizes to create your pieces. You also have the option to create a drop necklace or a ring as an alternative. Come join the fun! Wednesday, June 3, 10:30 am

Decoupage Shells Workshop Make your own decoupage shells to use as decorations, trinket dishes or soap dishes. A wide choice of designs will be offered. Includes all tools and supplies needed to make two large shells and a shell ornament. Wednesday, June 3, 1:30 pm.

Youth Art: You & Me Paint the Sea During this special parent-and-child workshop, you will create a beautiful mixed media seascape on an 8×10 canvas. Learn simple painting techniques to create ocean waves and sandy beaches. This class is designed for all skill levels. Saturday, June 13 – 10:00-11:30 am.

01/08/2026  – 12/17/2026

9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Open Pottery Studio - A.M. Tuesday - Thursday
Open Pottery Studio - A.M. Tuesday - Thursday
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Welcome to our Open Pottery Studio – a supervised, creative space where potters of all skill levels can explore, practice, and perfect their craft. This monitored environment ensures safety and support while offering access to professional-grade tools, wheels, and kilns. Whether you are hand-building, throwing, or glazing, our staff is available during all open studio hours to assist, answer questions, and maintain a safe, respectful studio atmosphere. Must have class experience to attend. Thursdays: 9:30 am – Noon, Adults. 4 session fee, each day is it’s own session. Book January 2026 – December 2026.

01/08/2026  – 05/21/2026

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Figure Drawing Group
Figure Drawing Group
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

New schedule. 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Age 18+, beginning January 8, 2026. Strengthen your skills in our monitored figure drawing session with a variety of timed poses. Bring your chalk, paint, charcoal or pencil, you choose the medium! Model varies by session. Please reserve online or by phone, 813-645-7651. Reservations are Limited. Your $15 cash tuition is due at the door.

01/08/2026  – 12/17/2026

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Open Pottery Studio - Thursday Evening
Open Pottery Studio - Thursday Evening
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Welcome to our Open Pottery Studio – a supervised, creative space where potters of all skill levels can explore, practice, and perfect their craft. This monitored environment ensures safety and support while offering access to professional-grade tools, wheels, and kilns. Whether you are hand-building, throwing, or glazing, our staff is available during all open studio hours to assist, answer questions, and maintain a safe, respectful studio atmosphere. Must have class experience to attend. Thursdays: 6:00 – 8:30 pm, Adults. 4 session fee, each day is it’s own session. Book from January 2026 – December 2026.

05/07/2026  – 06/04/2026

9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Intro to the Pottery Wheel
Intro to the Pottery Wheel
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

You’ll discover the joy of working with clay in this hands-on, beginner to intermediate course focused on the fundamentals of wheel throwing. In 5 weeks, you’ll learn how to center clay, pull walls, and shape basic forms like bowls, mugs, and cylinders. We’ll also cover trimming, surface decoration, and glazing techniques so you can finish and fire your own unique pieces. No experience necessary – just bring your curiosity and willingness to get your hands dirty! Includes 25 lbs. of clay, glaze and firing.
Thursdays, 9:30 am until 12:00 pm, May 7 – June 4 (5 weeks).

05/19/2026  – 06/16/2026

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Little Hands, Big Creations - Kids Pottery Ages 5 to 9
Little Hands, Big Creations - Kids Pottery Ages 5 to 9
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Kids Pottery Class – 3-Session Series for Homeschool. Ages 5 to 9 – Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing in this fun and interactive 3-session pottery series designed just for kids! Tuesdays, May 19, June 2 & 16, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

05/26/2026  – 06/23/2026

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
From Mud to Magic - Kids Pottery Ages 10 and Up
From Mud to Magic - Kids Pottery Ages 10 and Up
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Mud to Magic Kids Pottery Class – 3-Session Series for Homeschool. Ages 10 and Up – Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing in this fun and interactive 3-session pottery series designed just for kids! Tuesdays, May 26, June 9 & June 23, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

05/28/2026  – 05/29/2026

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Figure Drawing
Figure Drawing
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Strengthen your skills in our monitored figure drawing session with a variety of timed poses. Bring your chalk, paint, charcoal or pencil, you choose the medium. Model varies by session. Second and Fourth Thursday of the month in 2026, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Age 18+. Begins Thursday, January 8, 2026.

06/03/2026

10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Ocean Wave Jewelry
Ocean Wave Jewelry
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Create a beautiful ocean wave bracelet and pair of drop earrings with pearl accents, sized just for your wrist or desired earring length. Choose from a variety of freshwater and glass pearls in a wide selection of colors and sizes to create your pieces. You also have the option to create a drop necklace or a ring as an alternative. Come join the fun! Wednesday, June 3, 10:30 am

06/03/2026

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Decoupage Shells Workshop
Decoupage Shells Workshop
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Make your own decoupage shells to use as decorations, trinket dishes or soap dishes. A wide choice of designs will be offered. Includes all tools and supplies needed to make two large shells and a shell ornament. Wednesday, June 3, 1:30 pm.

06/07/2026  – 06/28/2026

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Studio 55 | Photography:  A Moment in Time | TMA@Firehouse
Studio 55 | Photography: A Moment in Time | TMA@Firehouse
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Adults 55+ | Beginner-Intermediate Level | Photography: A Moment in Time | Working with still life, self-portraits, and close-up abstract images, students will learn the basics of photography while drawing inspiration from the exhibition Avant Garde: Remarkable Women in the Permanent Collection.
Sundays | 1:00 – 4:00 PM Class Dates | June 7– June 28 (4 classes). Classes held @ the Firehouse Annex.

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