WORKSHOP: Wild Clay – June 4
June 4 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am
$200.00
3-day workshop over 3 weeks
JUNE 4th, 11th, & 18th
This workshop will provide guidelines on identifying, foraging, processing, and testing local blue clay found in Southern Utah. Participants will learn how to use these resources by testing their temperature limit and melting point, mixing at various percentages with commercial clays, and learning to hand-build with the materials so they can transfer their findings into their own studio practice. All tested pieces will be fired to cone 5/6 and be finished to take home at the end of the workshop.
There will be one meeting that takes place in the field to find and source local clays. Students may carpool to the location and must come prepared for potentially climbing steep terrain and messy clay retrieval while out in the field. Please bring water, sunscreen, a hat, sturdy shoes, and anything else to be comfortable. Buckets will be provided, along with a few shovels, but students may bring their own hand tools as well.
Workshop fees include all materials, firings, and shelf space inside the studio. If students prefer using their own tools along the way, they may discuss this with the workshop instructor ahead of time.
Topics Covered:
- health and safety in the studio and field
- defining blue clay
- overview of geologic history
- finding and identifying blue clay
- collection and processing techniques
- testing procedures and mixing with commercial clays
- interpreting finished results
Week 1: Field Day
Week 2: Testing
Week 3: Interpreting Results