The Village Potters Clay Center, located in Asheville’s historic River Arts District, is pleased to announce a full slate of in-person workshops for the 2023 season.
Hands-on workshops will run Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm, with open studio access until 6pm each day. The workshops are fully detailed at The Village Potters’ website, where online registration is also available.
Opening the season March 13-17 is Sarah Wells Rolland, who will teach her very popular “Throwing with Finesse, Pt. 1” workshop. This workshop will emphasize multiple techniques, including efficient throwing, problem solving, moving larger volumes of clay, handles, attachments, and much more. Skill level: Seasoned Beginner – Intermediate.
On April 1-2, John Britt returns with his Instructional Workshop and Discussion: Cone 6 Glazing. This workshop will run Saturday from 9am-5pm and Sunday from 10am-5pm. John will bring over 2000 fired test tiles with both reduction and oxidation glazes, and discussion will include an overview of ceramic glazes with a focus on, but not limited to, cone 6 glazes, firing temperatures, kilns, and firing dynamics. This workshop is designed for beginner to intermediate potters.
Next up will be “The Teapot” with Sarah Wells Rolland, from April 17-21. This class is designed for the potter who wants to push into new territory and expand their skill set. Lively demonstrations, ‘what-if’ critiques, interactive discussion, and concentrated time at the wheel will challenge and delight. Skill level: Intermediate throwing capabilities are recommended.
In June we are delighted to welcome Tina Curry for her “Creative Animal Sculpture” workshop from June 12-16. Artist-sculptor Tina Curry will walk you through the process of creating animal sculptures utilizing basic anatomy and proportions. Each step will include inspiring demonstrations, along with individual instruction. Skill level: Basic hand building knowledge is required.
In July, Ron Philbeck will teach a Throwing Intensive from July 10-14. This workshop is geared toward improving your throwing skills and to help you develop more ease and confidence with clay. Ron will demonstrate a number of functional forms, and will also work with attachments and trimming techniques. Throughout the week, you will also explore several decorative techniques including textured slip application, faceting, wax resist with slips, rope impressed and stamp decoration. Skill level: Intermediate throwing knowledge is required.
Our final workshop of the season is Sarah Wells Rolland’s “Pots that Pour”, which will take place August 7-11. Pots that pour require balance, proportion, and functionality. In this class you will explore traditional and contemporary pouring vessels as well as the component parts to create the forms. Demonstrations begin daily at 9am, and Sarah will work with you individually until 3pm, with studio access extending until 6pm. Skill level: Seasoned beginners, intermediate – advanced throwers all welcome.
For more information or to register online for workshops, please visit https://thevillagepotters.com/product-category/cls_wrkshp/inpersonworkshop/.
The Village Potters are Sarah Wells Rolland, Judi Harwood, Lori Theriault, Julia Mann, Katie Meili Messersmith, Ruth Fischer Rutkowsky, and Caroline Renee Woolard, along with Director of Operations, Lindsey Mudge. They comprise an intentional Collective of potters who share a commitment to nurture creative exploration through education, experience, and community. The Village Potters includes a fine craft gallery, a Teaching Center offering ongoing classes in wheel, hand building, and sculpture for adults, an Advanced Ceramic Studies Program, and online demonstrations and workshops. The Village Potters Clay Center is an educational member of The Craft Guild of the Southern Highlands, and is an official distributor for Laguna Clays.