Ceramic Material Production and Investigation

An intensive and explorative 4 day workshop in ceramic material production and investigation. This course offers the chance to gain a better understanding and knowledge of ceramic materials. As a group you will be guided in making a wide range of ceramic ingredients from scratch and from locally sourced materials, such as London clay, bricks, sand, chalk and river silt. Together we will make a range of clays, slips, and grogs which will create the foundation for material testing.

The final day will provide the starting point for considered testing where the materials we’ve made can be combined.  The experience and knowledge through making materials together hopes to provide participants with the confidence to continue using these processes independently and a better understanding of where ceramic materials come from.

This course is intended for those wanting to learn more about clay, sustainability within ceramics and the chance to experiment with materials in a playful way.

All tests from the course will be fired to your choosing of bisque, oxidised stoneware and/or reduced stoneware. After which we will meet to share results and inspirations a month after the course. Any materials not used during the duration of the course will be available for you to take away and use in your own studio.

Participants are encouraged to bring in their own foraged materials for testing. This could be material from your garden or respectfully gather from a local place of interest to you. We’ll be conducting small tests so 1kg – 500g will be plenty.

Date: Tuesday 17 June – Thursday 20 June. Collection and sharing of results Saturday 12 July (12-1pm)
Time: 10.30AM–4PM with an hour for lunch
Price: £480

What You’ll Learn

What you’ll learn :

– How to make your own clay, slips and grogs
– How to process wild materials
– How to combine materials for testing
– A basic overview of ceramic material origins
– A new way to think about making

Who Should Attend

Any level of experience welcome. This workshop is ideal for ceramic artists of all levels of experience who are interesting in collecting and using found clay.

What’s Included in the Masterclass 

Comprehensive instruction on processing locally found clay.

Analysis of clay samples brought by participants, with discussions on their suitability for various ceramic techniques.

Hands-on sessions where participants can process the clay they have brought in – raw clay will be available if people haven’t brought any.

Opportunities for participants to ask questions, share experiences, and receive personalised feedback.

All necessary materials and equipment will be provided to ensure a thorough and enjoyable learning experience.

The course will be led by artist and ceramic researcher Rachel Kurdynowska. Rachel is a teacher and creative facilitator with 10+ years ceramic experience. She has fired and built wood kilns across France and the UK, whilst remaining an active member of the current British ceramic movement. Her interest in alternative teaching practice encourages experimental clay workshops, that explore ‘communities of practice’ whilst providing a new way to think about making. For the past year and a half she has been leading a Clay Research Programme at Helgate Pottery in Norwich, which this course is based on. She is currently building a small wood kiln for teaching in Suffolk and works from her studio, Easton Pottery, in Norwich.

www.eastonpottery.com @Eastonpottery