Custom Carved and Pressed Ceramic Ornaments Workshop

Saturday, December 12, 2026 12:00–3:30 pm $75 per person (includes a $10 fee for materials, glazing, and firing) 10% discount for Basic, Gold, and Patron level Glencairn Museum members Ages 16+ Advanced registration is required by Wednesday, December 2, 2026. Create one-of-a-kind ceramic ornaments inspired by the beauty of Glencairn Museum. In this hands-on workshop, you will design, carve, and press your own ornaments. Begin by exploring Glencairn’s stunning spaces for inspiration, then transfer your design to a dry plaster block and carefully carve your mold. Each participant will be able to press six ornaments from their mold. The ornaments will then be glazed and fired by the instructor and ready for pickup before Christmas. All tools and materials are provided. A design template and instructions will be emailed to participants in advance, giving you plenty of time to plan your design—or you can create your design at the workshop after gathering inspiration at the Museum. No prior ceramic experience is necessary. Christina Orthwein is a ceramic artist and educator whose work explores the relationship between beauty, function, and the spiritual qualities found in the natural world. She has worked with clay for more than 20 years and is continually inspired by the process of transforming a soft, pliable material into something precise, functional, and enduring. Orthwein views everyday objects as vessels for deeper meaning. A simple mug, for example, can offer more than its practical purpose; the warmth, comfort, and affection associated with using it can reveal something of its higher good. This idea informs her approach to ceramics, where beauty and functionality work together to bring greater meaning to the natural materials from which her pieces are made. In addition to maintaining a home studio, Orthwein is also a mother of three and finds inspiration in the relationships, experiences, and everyday moments that shape her life. For Orthwein, working with clay is both playful and challenging—a process of continual learning, discovery, and creative growth.