Expanding Clay Vocabulary

A Three Part Series

Looking to take your ceramic work to the next level? Wanting to make your work more engaging and timeless?

Join internationally recognized ceramic master Eric Serritella in three separate and unique workshops designed to improve hands on skills and design aesthetics of both wheel-thrown and hand-built work. 

Select from the topics that interest you or join ALL Three two-day workshops and improve how your pots are made and perceived. (Prices vary accordingly.)

Each workshop includes artist talk, demos, one-on-one instruction, clay/materials and hands on time.

Separate pricing for just the artist talk and demo only for each workshop (First day of the workshop.)

Part 1 - Teapots – Yixing and Beyond - $325

Artist talk only - $5

Artist Talk Friday June 28th 6:30pm

Sat. June 29th, 10am - 5pm

Sun. June 30th, 10am -5pm

Yixing, China is the birthplace of the teapot and known worldwide for the tiny delicate Zisha (purple clay) teapots used to brew Oolong tea in the Gong-fu tradition. In this hands-on workshop students will use the teapot as a vehicle to learn unique Chinese wheel throwing techniques applicable to all wheel thrown pots. They will explore Yixing and contemporary teapot form, theory, aesthetics and the techniques for making better bodies, spouts, handles, lids and attachments. Reverse teapot construction by throwing off the hump will also be shown. Students will watch demonstrations and then try the techniques with Eric’s guidance. A tea tasting will be held using Yixing teapots.

After the class students will have knowledge of:

• Unique Chinese wheel throwing techniques applicable to all pots

• Yixing teapot design theory and construction

• How to create a spout on the wheel and with a chopstick

• Throwing off the hump

• Reverse teapot construction

• A wide variety of miscellaneous techniques as a result of in-class discussions

Part 2 - Aesthetics & Form — Bringing Life to You Pots - $225

Sat. July 27th, 10am - 5pm

Sun. July 28th, 10am - 5pm

Are your pots feeling tired, stiff and needing some design oomph? In this hands-on workshop Eric will delve into the design of functional pots and explore ways of improving various forms. He will demonstrate many techniques and practical approaches to help students loosen up their work and improve the attitude of their pots. Participants will have ample time to try things out on their own with Eric’s guidance. From body to rims, to feet and handles, to finishing touches, you will leave with a wealth of ideas to help bring added life to mugs, bowls, dishes, vases, teapots and more. Various surface treatments, including working with slips and Opened Earth expanding and cracking of surfaces will be demonstrated. As always, Eric’s workshop promises to be full of fun, energy and useful information for improving your work. After the class students will have knowledge of 

• Unique Chinese wheel throwing techniques applicable to all potsA

• How to view a vessel as human form

• Techniques for improving the visual aesthetics of wheel-thrown pots

• Throwing off the hump

• Wabi sabi philosophy and techniques

• Various surface treatments including slips and heated and stretched clay

• Merchandising and selling work

• A wide variety of miscellaneous techniques as a result of in-class discussions

Part 3 - Birch Bark Baskets - $225

Sat. Aug 24th 10am - 5pm

Sun. Aug 25th 10am - 5pm

This two-day weekend workshop will combine instructor demonstration and student hands-on participation to create birch bark from clay. Eric will share a wealth of clay techniques to make realistic bark baskets and vessels. Students will try the techniques on a small piece to keep. In addition to birch bark creation, Eric will emphasize sculptural elements, ways of seeing as an artist, and anecdotally share his experiences making, marketing and selling wheel thrown and hand-built works in clay.

Students will leave with knowledge on how to:

• Manually create large slabs without the use of a slab roller.
• Handle and assemble slabs of clay.
• Use templates for making projects from slabs.
• Mix and use slips of different consistencies and viscosities.
• Recreate the look of birch bark in clay.
• Recreate the look of leather straps in clay for incorporation into birch projects.
• Mix and use ceramic stains in layers and for visual accent.