*** SOLD OUT ***
Intro to Wild, Foraged, Local Clays • East Austin — Mueller Area • Texas November 9, 2024 • 9a - 5p (Inclement weather date 11.23.24)
Intro to Pit Firing • Elgin, TX • Texas | December 7th • 9a - 5p & December 8th • 9a - 12p
Wild Clay & Pit Firing Workshop Package
This comprehensive workshop package is perfect for intermediate ceramicists looking to fully immerse themselves in an ancient ceramics process. In these workshops you can expect to learn about the gathering, preparation, and firing processes of wild, local, foraged clay.
Part 1: Wild Clay Exploration & Preparation (1 Day • 6 demos)
In this full-day session, you'll learn how to identify, test, cleanse, and prepare wild clay through detailed demos. You'll leave with the skills to source and work with local materials, preparing you to create your own pieces over the next month.
Part 2: Pit Firing Techniques (1.5 Days, 1.5 Months Later • 4 demos)
A month after the first session, we’ll reconvene for an in-depth, 1.5-day pit firing workshop. Through 4 demos, you'll learn firing techniques, pit setup, managing the firing process, and post-firing options for sealing your work. You'll fire the pieces you created using the wild clay you foraged.
Open to all levels, this workshop emphasizes sustainability, local materials, and traditional firing methods, guiding you through the process—from sourcing to firing. Prior hand building knowledge is encouraged. If you would like one-on-one instruction for hand building techniques contact us for more information.
These workshops are an ideal starting point for those seeking to learn about sustainable, local, ancient and alternative ceramics techniques to add versatility and unique options to their creative process.
Please note:
Maximum of 20 attendees, minimum 10. If the minimum registration number is not met the workshop will be canceled and you will be refunded your money.
These workshop will take place outdoors. In the event of inclement weather the workshop will be postponed.
These are instructional workshop including 10 demos
Ceramics experience is not required, but intermediate ceramics experience is suggested
What’s included
Instruction by Jessica VanNess & Rebeca Proctor co-owner of East Side Pot Shop and half of Nom Ceramics
This is an outdoor event. Indoors restrooms will be available. Please prepare accordingly.
10 demos and 2 instructional talks
What’s not included
Lunch and drinks will not be provided so please plan to bring your own meals, snacks, and beverages. There will be a refrigerator and microwave available for use.
You have the option to purchase items to assemble a wild clay kit similar to what is used during the demos
Clay will not be provided. The demos are instructional for how to find, test, and prepare and fire your own foraged, local, wild clay work on your own after the workshop. If you would like a hands-on workshop and demo option, we one-on-one offer day-long workshops that deep dive into each step in the process. You can contact us to learn more.
Schedule Day 1
9:00A — Welcome & Schedule Overview
9:30A — Finding & testing local wild clay in urban environments
11:00A — Cleansing methods | water settling
12:00P — Lunch
1:00P — Cleansing methods | dry processing
2:00P — Preparing clay
3:00P — Natural glazes
4:00P — Pit firing considerations
Schedule Day 2
9:00A — Welcome & Schedule Overview
9:30A — Pit firing surface treatments
11:00A — Preparing the pit
12:00P — Lunch
1:00P — Preparing the pots for the fire
3:00P — Building the large fire
6:00P — Reduction versus oxidation
Schedule Day 3
9:00A — Welcome
9:30A — Removing pots from the pit
11:00A — Sealing techniques
*Exact schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the group