Wild CLAY WOrkshop

Together with artist Caitlin Zachow, Amy Joy Hosterman will lead participants through the entire process of creating ceramic work with the local wild red clay, from sustainably harvesting to firing your work. Students will work together to dig the clay from the ground, process the clay, mix clay bodies, and fire ceramic work on site. We use simple and widely-accessible tools, techniques, and materials to build a practice that can be duplicated almost anywhere, with what you have at hand. This is an immersive workshop and an exercise in making art from the natural world. 

Because of the clay’s slow drying time in this humid environment, students should expect to make a number of small pieces, rather than larger projects. You will experience demonstrations of various building methods and decorative surface techniques, have time for hands-on learning and exploration, and receive technical advice and project guidance as needed.

Amy will present on her years of research of our local glacial-lacustrine clay, which we affectionately call “Yooper YumYum” for its likeness to chocolate custard. We will discuss the basics of making a clay body suited for particular uses. Each student will have access to natural additive materials for creating custom clay bodies. We will discuss options for building or modifying kilns for use in remote locations as well as alternative methods of firing and finishing without costly equipment. 

Previous experience with clay is helpful. All skill levels are welcome with a desire to learn and pitch in. If you are newer to clay, you will be guided through the process with suggested projects and demonstrated techniques. If you are experienced in clay, you will greatly broaden your material knowledge and practical skill set by exploring the world of wild clay.

Come with an inquisitive mind, and you will leave with a deeper understanding of ceramic materials, and finished pots made by you, from the ground up!

CLAY WORKSHOP STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO:

• Collect and process raw clay on site using simple methods and basic tools

• Learn how to identify, locate, and harvest clay in the wild

• Formulate simple clay bodies for specific uses

• Create hand-built, wheel-thrown, or organic burn-out work

• Fire, glaze, and finish work on site using accessible techniques

• Fire together using pit/surface firings, electric, and gas kilns.

• Work together through all parts of the ceramic process, helping each other with clay processing and drying, loading and firing kilns, and mixing glazes.

• Help prepare for and assist with instruction at “A Day In Clay,” a one-day workshop for the local community, at Ewen Trout Creek School

CERAMICS FACILITIES INCLUDE:

• Large work tables and workspace in the Seeger Studio Barn

• Outdoor covered workspace (the Clay Cathedral) for drying clay and firing propane kilns

• All the clay you can harvest & process

• Buckets, screens, mixers, drying bats, etc, for clay slip processing

• Two treadle potter’s wheels

• Various throwing and sculpting tools available

• Barrels and pits for primitive-style firings

• 2 Propane gas kilns for glaze firing, raku and and organic burn-out firings

• Electric kiln for bisque and oxidation firings

• Low-fire glazes provided

• Firing safety gear (heat aprons, face shields, welding gloves, tongs)