Paint & Fire partners with Coachella Valley schools to bring high-quality ceramic arts into ELOP and afterschool programming. Our classes build technical skill, creative confidence, and fine motor development through 10–11 week progressions designed by working artists and educators.
Paint and fire —schools
Our Program Categories
Air Dry Clay Classes
Foundational clay techniques, themed projects, story sculpture, terrariums, and miniatures. No kiln required.
Grades: K–5 (adaptable through middle school)
Class size: Up to 20 students
Session length: 45–60 minutes
Format: 10 weeks + optional Week 11 showcase
Materials: All included - We bring everything to your location
Hand building Classes
Pinch, coil, and slab techniques. Includes sculpture, collaborative builds, process-art labs, and skill-building progressions.
Grades: K–8 (depending on program)
Class size: Up to 20 per class, with room for multiple simultaneous classes
Session length: 45–60 minutes
Format: 10 weeks + optional Week 11 showcase
Drop-off or bus-in: We coordinate with your ELOP transportation
Pottery Wheel Classes
Centering, throwing, trimming, and functional form creation. From foundations through advanced challenge labs.
Grades: K–8 (depending on program)
Class size: Up to 20 per class, with room for multiple simultaneous classes
Session length: 45–60 minutes
Format: 10 weeks + optional Week 11 showcase
Drop-off or bus-in: We coordinate with your ELOP transportation
Hybrid Clay Classes
Combined wheel + hand building programs that teach students how both techniques work together.
Grades: K–8 (depending on program)
Class size: Up to 20 per class, with room for multiple simultaneous classes
Session length: 45–60 minutes
Format: 10 weeks + optional Week 11 showcase
Drop-off or bus-in: We coordinate with your ELOP transportation
Our core catalog includes 15 ready-to-run programs, each a complete 10–11 week curriculum with weekly lesson plans, clear learning outcomes, and CAS (California Arts Standards) alignment.
Returning schools: We love building long-term partnerships. If your students have done a program with us before, we can build new curricula, remix existing ones, or scale complexity up as students grow. Multi-year partners get varied offerings year over year so students never repeat content.
15+ Program Options — And More If You Want Them
Password provided at vendor fairs or by request.
Why Paint and Fire
Purpose-built curriculum
Not improvised. Every week has a plan, a demo, and learning outcomes mapped to California Arts Standards.
Experienced instructors
Working artists trained in our teaching method.
Real ceramic education
Students leave with technical skills, not just a craft project.
ELOP-ready
We understand the structure, billing, and scheduling of afterschool programs.
Flexible delivery
On-site air dry for schools without kilns, or studio visits for schools that want the full experience.
Built for long-term partnership
Returning schools get fresh curricula year over year, not the same program on repeat.
FAQs
Which districts do you work with?
1
We serve schools across the Coachella Valley, including Desert Sands Unified, Palm Springs Unified, Coachella Valley Unified, and charter/private schools throughout the region.
Can we pick a specific curriculum or mix programs across sessions?
2
Yes. Many schools rotate programs across their three ELOP sessions to give students variety over the year.
Can you build a custom program for us?
3
Absolutely. For returning schools or multi-year partnerships, we regularly build new curricula, remix existing ones, or scale complexity as your students grow.
How do I see the full program details and pricing?
4
Visit our program catalog at paintandfire.com/schools/programs. Coordinators who met us at a vendor fair received the password on their flyer. If you didn't, fill out the contact form below and we'll send it over.
How do you handle allergies, behavior, and classroom management?
5
Our instructors coordinate with your afterschool lead and follow district protocols. We've found a 20:1 ratio works well for most grade levels. We comply with 10:1 requirements for TK/K.