Sculptural Vessels in Clay – Saturday 3-Day Workshop

Join us for this 3-day ceramics Saturday workshop (November 7th and November 14th from 2PM-5:30PM, and November 28th from 2PM-4PM). Building with coils of clay is a very accessible and versatile technique that can be used to create larger pieces, asymmetrical, very organic or sculptural. Unlike working with the wheel, a successful coil piece can be easier to create with little experience. All levels are welcome! FIRST DAY – Saturday, November 7th from 2PM-5:30PM (3.5 hours) We will look at examples of coil work for inspiration before a demonstration of the actual technique using simple tools. You can have an rough idea of what you’d like to do or just start and see what develops. Done correctly, one can create a large piece by gradually building it coil by coil, joining the coils together by hand and then smoothing the surface with a special flexible tool that can stretch and direct the development of the shape. Each stage needs to be done with care so the base can support the next stage. Any work that is unfinished can be wrapped properly so it can be finished on the following Saturday. SECOND DAY – Saturday, November 14th from 2PM-5:30PM (3.5 hours) Continue working to finish the project. If you are finished, feel free to explore techniques in another piece such as leaving some coils showing or combining multiple coil sections together, adding texture or decoration to the surface. It is important to let the pieces dry slowly and thoroughly before the bisque fire. THIRD DAY – Saturday, November 28th from 2PM-4PM (2 hours) After your piece has been bisque fired you will glaze it to be fired a second time. NOTE: you will need to return to pick up the finished glazed piece at a later date to be determined. Workshop fee (9 hours total) does not include materials. Clay is sold by the pound and can be purchased from the instructor at the beginning of the workshop. 9-hour Workshop Cost – Non-members: $175 / Members: $140 Instructor: Paula Wolfe taught high school pottery for many years in Massachusetts before teaching jewelry. She is now revisiting her love of hand building and is especially interested in containers for plants and flower arranging, a new passion. She uses a special flexible tool to smooth and sculpt the surface of the piece after the coils have been joined. Click here to view our cancellation policy.