LLART 435 - Wild Clay to Wood-Fired Pottery

Get your hands dirty and connect with clay in its most natural form. In this two-part workshop, you'll work with a selection of raw, wild clays--trying them plain, mixed, amended, and unamended. During the first session, we'll explore processing techniques and form pots using the different clays. After a week of drying in the greenhouse, you'll return for session two to paint or glaze your creations (or both!), then load and fire them in a backyard wood-fired kiln. This course is perfect for those curious about natural materials, traditional processes, and the alchemy of turning raw earth into finished ceramic. Finished pots can be picked up from campus or directly from the instructor's home. All materials provided--just bring your curiosity and willingness to experiment!