Pinching Illustrative Vessels with Laura Williams, October 18th and 19th, from 12pm-5pm
Join Chicago based artist Laura Williams for a two-day exploration on pinching with clay. This workshop focuses on pinching and coiling techniques which are some of the oldest and most expressive methods of shaping clay
Students will begin by pinching simple cylinders, then explore how to add volume, texture, and movement through coiling, darting, and shaping techniques. Laura will guide you in experimenting with closed forms, zig-zag edges, and sculptural appendages to create more than just your basic pinch pot. Sketching through addition and subtraction will also be discussed as a form of idea development.
On Day 2 students will return to their forms for a deep dive into surface treatment. Learning how to use terra sigillata and underglaze to highlight texture, shape, and gesture. Laura will demonstrate how color and finish can push your piece’s personality even further.
Workshop will be in-person hosted at Saltstone Ceramics in the Wallingford Neighborhood of Seattle.
Laura Williams (they/she) has worked as a teaching artist in Chicago, IL since 2016. Their work centers material, process, narrative and play. Laura has taught ceramics workshops and classes throughout the midwest and east coast, but this is their first time out west!
Laura keeps a multidisciplinary practice, making ceramic pots, sculptures, and illustrations. "I am interested in clay's memory. The way it records our choices; finger prints, throw lines, brush strokes, even our moods. Process informs my forms. If a piece is pinched, the fingerprints become a driving element in the overall design. If a piece is thrown, throw lines highlight the surface of the vessel. Our wares have a way of exhibiting our personalities. In a machine driven society, it’s comforting when handmade objects feel human, handmade. I hope that my work elicits the joy with which it was created. Making is a form of play, I enjoy getting lost in this process of creating. I've been making pots since 2017 and I'm continually honored when a piece of mine has become a part of another's routine. We were designed to live in a community, with one another. I'm thankful to have a network of students, colleagues, studios, and patrons to share our love of clay with."
This workshop is appropriate for all levels of experience with clay and is open to students 18 and older.
Workshop registration is time/class-specific and is non-refundable. We no longer provide refunds for COVID-19. If you can't attend your workshop, we encourage you to give your spot to a friend.
