Over the course of two weeks, learn from Raku maestro, Marcello Massoni, to
be proficient at exercising the myriad intricacies of raku and smoke firing to    obtain just the surface and just the texture you desire for your work. Participants will work with a specially formulated raku clay body to create individualized forms both thrown and hand-built, numerous engobes, glazes, and a variety of influential combustible materials.

An intensive introduction to the art of throwing on a potters wheel, focusing on a patient break-down of the essential technical basics of wedging, centering, raising walls and exploring elemental bowl, cylinder, plate and vase forms. This course will be challenging, rewarding and dynamic, and will cater to each individual as he/she progresses.

Using the wheel as a tool for a greater exploration of shapes beyond symmetrical and round, this workshop will urge participants to expand their creative comfort zone as we stretch and pull thrown forms, cut down and re-assemble, twist and facet and re-invent. Working predominantly in stoneware, a stance of experimentation will be highly encouraged, even as specific achievable techniques will also be revealed.

Delighting in the element of serendipity and spontaneous beauty, this workshop will explore the kiss of flame and the natural glaze effects of atmospheric wood-firing in Gaya CAC's new anagama (Japanese-style wood kiln) with woodfire specialist, Dave Hanley. Participants will experiment with the variables of clay bodies and flashing slips, surface texture, and vessel shape as design factors influencing the subtle and dramatic effects of a natural ash surface.

The canvas of clay poses an enormity of possibility. Over the course of two weeks this workshop intends to explore techniques harvested from many cultures and manipulated in many and surprising ways to suit your contemporary expression in clay. Techniques include a taster’s choice of: sgrafitto, engobes, hakeme, rope-texturizing, stamping, paddling, wax-resist, sprigging, slip brushwork, and underglazing. Handmade brush-making will also be included. Porcelain and stoneware will be thrown, and hand-built as basis for exploration of surface elements.

A remarkable workshop for the creative ceramicist with a specific interest in the intimate relationship between food and the vessel in which it is presented. Formal design considerations of shape, texture, color and scale will be explored in direct relation to specific unusual gastronomic selections. Participants will work closely with ceramic instructor and visiting chef, creating utilitarian pieces as well as cooking the exquisite recipes that will be served upon them. The two-week workshop will culminate, appropriately, in a feast of the senses.

Focusing on the ultimate tool of the potter, this workshop will illuminate hand-building techniques ranging from pilled slab forms, slump and hump molds, coiling, subtractive and additive carving, hollowing, paddling and assemblage to create both sculptural and functional form.
The instructorswill reveal all in an effort to impart the sensibilities of timing and touch : the aspects of primary importance to the hand-builder.

This workshop will not only examine, and discover a new the infinite expressions of tea vessels from cultures all over the globe, it will also endeaover to sample some of the most refined ceremonies accompaning that ware : from British high tea, to Moroccan crushed mint, to the ubiquitious Japanese (ha no yu).
Participants will be inspired to contemplate the specific usage and intention of their tea set design as they innovative and create.