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.

SUMMER 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
• Tuesday or Thursday morning session,
• Thursday Evening session,
NEW! – Saturdays, starting July 11th.
Look through the Open Pottery Studio Landing Page. Call 813-645-7651 or book online. 9:30 am – Noon, Tuesdays or Thursdays, Thursday Evening from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. and new Saturday Class 11:00 am – 1:30 pm. From now until Dec, 2026. 4 session fee, each day is it’s own session.
Explore the art of clay in our monitored Open Pottery Studio designed for both wheel throwing and hand building artists. This flexible 4-class opportunity is perfect for students with prior clay experience wanting additional studio time to practice techniques, complete projects, and grow creatively at their own pace. 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, July 2 – July 30 (5 weeks).

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..

Return to Painting: This 5 week summer course is an introduction (or refresher) to the materials, techniques and processes of painting. Classes will focus on developing students’ understanding of composition, color theory and surface. Wednesdays June 3 – July 1 in FCC Studio 1:30 – 3:30 pm (5 weeks).

Mud to Masterpiece: Adult Handbuilding Clay Discover the art of clay in this fun and relaxing four-week handbuilding class designed for adults of all skill levels. Explore creative techniques such as slab building, coil construction, texturing, sculpting, and glazing while creating functional and decorative ceramic pieces. Mondays, 1:30 – 4:00 pm, June 8 – June 29 (four weeks).

Myths, Monsters & Mystical Creatures: Teen Clay Class.Step into a world of imagination and creativity in this exciting four-week hand-building clay class designed especially for teens! Students will explore the art of sculpting while bringing legendary creatures and fantasy-inspired creations to life. Mondays, 10 am – 12:30 pm, June 8 – June 29 (four weeks).

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  – 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.

05/19/2026  – 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.

05/26/2026  – 06/23/2026

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Myths, Monsters & Mystical Creatures: Teen Clay
Myths, Monsters & Mystical Creatures: Teen Clay
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Myths, Monsters & Mystical Creatures: Teen Clay Class. Step into a world of imagination and creativity in this exciting four-week hand-building clay class designed especially for teens! Students will explore the art of sculpting while bringing legendary creatures and fantasy-inspired creations to life. Mondays, 10 am – 12:30 pm, June 8 – June 29.

06/03/2026  – 07/01/2026

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Return to Painting
Return to Painting
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Return to Painting: This 5 week summer course is an introduction (or refresher) to the materials, techniques and processes of painting. Classes will focus on developing students’ understanding of composition, color theory and surface. Wednesdays June 3 – July 1 in FCC Studio 1:30 – 3:30 pm (5 weeks).

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.

06/08/2026  – 06/29/2026

1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Mud to Masterpiece: Adult Hand-building Clay
Mud to Masterpiece: Adult Hand-building Clay
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Discover the art of clay in this fun and relaxing four-week handbuilding class designed for adults of all skill levels. Explore creative techniques such as slab building, coil construction, texturing, sculpting, and glazing while creating functional and decorative ceramic pieces. Mondays, 1:30 – 4:00 pm, June 8 – June 29 (four weeks).

06/13/2026

10:00 am – 11:30 am
Youth Art: You and Me Paint the Sea
Youth Art: You and Me Paint the Sea
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

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.

07/02/2026  – 07/30/2026

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, July 2 – July 30 (5 weeks).

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