Artisan Center

Clay/Pottery

Hand building, throwing on the wheel, decoration and glazing are each different steps for completing a project made of clay. Promotes fun, interest, and knowledge in all aspects of clay.

The focus of the Clay Club is to promote fun, interest and knowledge in all aspects of using clay from hand building and throwing on the wheel to glazing and surface decoration. We strive to be a welcoming community of helpful people sharing our love of clay with others, growing skills and learning from each other, building friendships and simply enjoying the process. We stress artistic freedom and encourage participation in the work needed to keep a lively studio functioning. Raw clay is such a flexible medium with countless ways to illustrate individuality…and it is a wonderful throwback to the days of mud pies and free play.

Join others as they try their hand at making that special bowl or plate. There is nothing like the feel of squishy mud and the beauty of the creations emerging from the fires. More experience potters are there to teach skills and encourage new members as they discover how to make their own beauties or how to translate ideas into finished product.

To use the clay room contact the club leadership listed in the Tipster.

Lapidary

Have you ever wanted to turn a dull rock into a fine piece of jewelry? Our lapidary craft room will provide you with the tools needed to just that.

Training in lapidary stone cutting and use of the lapidary equipment is available in the shop. For details please contact the leadership listed in the Tipster.

Modelers'

The Modeler’s Room is open to all members for modeling projects, both individual and groups, various clinics and the HO model Railroad.

The Modelers club has constructed an extensive HO gauge model railroad layout replicating a time in the 1940’s and 1950’s. There is a harbor, farm, small town, logging operation, small factories, and a mine. Our club members are involved in building aviation models, ship models, automobiles. The club has an open house during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Easter that has become popular with Sun City residents and visitors. We have a club meeting the second Friday of every month. A coffee and donut “Mixer” with usually a clinic on modeling techniques that is held the last Friday of the month. On most week days in the morning you will have a chance to meet our club members in the Modelers room as they build or just gather to exchange ideas.

Sewing

Sewing, stitching, quilting and tapestry is all here. The Sun City Oro Valley Sewing Club currently has 7 organized groups under one Charter.

Thimblelenas is the “umbrella” group for the 7 sewing clubs:

• Quilters
• Seniors for Kids
• Pet Beds
• Tapestry Rug Hooking
• Machine Embroidery
• Casa Amigas
• Cheer Bears

Enjoy working on your projects on your own or in a group. These groups are open to all members for personal and group sewing. Find the groups that interest you and sew away.

To learn how to use this room, please contact the leadership listed in the Tipster.

Silversmith

Dedicated to the art of jewelry making by applying the techniques of working with silver.

Dedicated to the art of silversmithing and jewelry making. Beginner silversmithing classes are given three times a year.

Silversmith beginner classes are held three times per year and combined with the lapidary.

Our current members have made some absolutely beautiful works or art.

To learn how to use this room, please contact the leadership listed in the Tipster.

Stained Glass

Stained glass and fused glass give the artist the opportunity to create amazing pieces either for your windows or a piece for setting on your table.

The mission of the club is to promote interest in and increase members’ skills and knowledge of stained and fused glass and to facilitate fellowship among members. Stained and fused glass classes are offered at various times throughout the year. The studio and equipment is available to all active club members. The only thing needed is your imagination and creativity.

To use the glass studio or for more information, please contact the club leadership listed in the Tipster.

Wood Shop

Promotes interest in the woodworking crafts and encourage fellowship among its members. The club provides members with a safe, well-equipped facility where they are able to develop and practice the art and skill of woodworking in almost all its forms.

The club provides members with a safe, well-equipped facility where they are able to develop and practice the art and skill of woodworking in almost all its forms. The shop is equipped with 22 industrial grade machines, a dust collection system, work tables, paint booth and a wide variety of hand tools. The club also makes training available to residents, both live and on DVDs. Training subjects include safe, efficient machine operation and a wide variety of specialized woodworking techniques.

View photos of members, projects and activities and to read information about the operation of the wood shop and how to join the club on the club’s website.

The Wood Shop, at the Artisan Center, is open to all residents. New members of the Woodworking Club must undergo a safety class or 10 hours of equipment training before being allowed to use the equipment. All Sun City Oro Valley residents are eligible to join whether they are experienced woodworkers or beginners. According to our bylaws,”the objective of the Sun City Oro Valley Woodworking Club shall be to promote interest in the woodworking crafts and encourage fellowship among its members”. All Sun City Oro Valley residents are eligible to join whether they are experienced woodworkers or beginners.