3-day, hands-on clay workshop

Workshop: August 16th-18th, 9am-4pm (30-45 minute lunch break each day)
Instructor: Deb Schwartzkopf
Participation Fee: $265

Overview: Join ceramic artist Deborah Schwartzkopf for an immersive three-day workshop delving into the versatile world of clay. Over three days, participants will have the opportunity to learn and refine their skills in wheel throwing, altering techniques, hand building, and surface design, guided by Deb’s expertise and innovative approach to clay.

Try out making and using your own bisque-fired molds, throwing simple forms and altering them, using slab-built additions for embellishment, and adding colorful accents using underglaze. This workshop with Deborah Schwartzkopf promises to be a dynamic and enriching experience for ceramic enthusiasts of all levels, providing a comprehensive exploration of clay techniques and fostering creativity and artistic growth. Take a look through the breakdown of the workshop below for details about the content and lessons.

Day 1: Inspiration & new techniques

Day 2: Altering Techniques and using molds

Morning Session:

• Demonstration on throwing a honeycomb design for the end of the dipper. Explanation on finishing the wooden components of the dipper.

• Studio time to finish honey jars and dippers

• Finish refining vase molds.
  

  Afternoon Session:

• Demonstration of different ways to use a bisque mold!

• Hands-on practice: participants will build a collection of shapes and experiment with creating bud vases with molds.

• Discussion about timing, tending parts, and reducing cracking

• Individual guidance and troubleshooting for throwing parts and making molds.

Day 3: exploring big and small forms

Morning Session:

• Throwing plates and bowls as the base for adornments / handbuilt rim additions.

• Demonstrate using a mold to create a small spoon AND use the same mold for ornamenting the rim of a platter.

• Hands-on practice: participants will make small components to create unique scoops and spoons.

  
  Afternoon Session:

• Creative exploration: participants will have the opportunity to work on personal projects, integrating techniques learned throughout the workshop.

Specific Ideas & Forms we will explore in the workshop. These are a starting place.

• Bringing inspiration into your artwork - abstraction, attention to detail as well

• Vases & bud vases - create bisque molds to make repeated shapes large and small!

• Asymmetrical trays - Learn a fun technique that will give you endless shape possibilities! Begin your journey in altering cylinders. Build your skills for more complex alterations.

• Asymmetrical covered jars - alter cylinders to invent and play with form.

• Attachments - Learn to make different types of handles and knobs for trays and covered jars.

• Surface - Explore thoughtful underglaze application to accentuate shapes using Amaco Velvet Underglazes.

Experience Level?
You will get the most out of the workshop if you have had one clay class in the past, know some of the basics of throwing, and are able to throw a 5” cylinder. This workshop is for the continuing beginner or those with experience in clay.

What to Bring:

Sack Lunch - We will take a 30-45 minute break each day. If you bring a lunch you won’t miss anything!

Sketchbook/ Pencil – Take notes!

Template Tools - Heavy Paper/ Manilla file folders, scissors, ruler, and pencil for template-making

Basic throwing/hand-building tools- Including metal and rubber ribs, cut-off wire, wooden knife, needle tool, rasp or sure form, smoothing tools, small scoring tool, rolling pin, serrated rib

Banding wheel/ turn table- preferably a free spinning one/ Tall Shimpo style

Exacto knife (dull is imperative)- this is for cutting clay.  Sharp ones cut your hands and the canvas on the table…
Scotch Brite pad- for smoothing the clay (just one per person will do)

Sponge - At least a small one for smoothing and getting extra water out of cylinders.  And a larger one for cleaning.

Towel - for wiping of your hands while working

Packing material/ plastic to bring home any greenware home… If you are in session at RCC, you may bring back pots during the winter session. If you are on your own without a kiln, check out the Rat City Studios Firing Service.

Heavy dose of patience coupled with a sense of exploration

About the Instructor:

With a passion to engage and build community through clay, Deb Schwartzkopf uses her unique skill set to offer educational opportunities. As a studio artist, she makes her own fabulous tableware that infuses life with purposeful beauty. Her artwork is recognized and showcased nationally. Deb was inspired by the guidance of amazing mentors along the way. These important relationships helped foster her desire to provide support and mentorship for the growing clay community.  Her adventurous spirit has taken her across the country and beyond to build a depth of experience, knowledge, and a supportive network. 

In 2013 Deb established Rat City Studios in her hometown of Seattle, WA. RCS is her home and studio, as well as a creative space for multiple studio members working independently. In 2022 she opened a sister studio, Rain City Clay in West Seattle. RCC is a community art center focusing on experiential learning through ceramics classes for enthusiasts of all levels.

With over 15  years of experience, a Master’s of Fine Art at Penn State,  artwork included in collections such as the Kamm Teapot Foundation, San Angelo Museum, and the WA State Arts Collection, numerous publications including Ceramic Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, and Studio Potter Magazine, she has been recognized and honored in her career as a maker and is thrilled to be expanding the community.

Class refund policy:

Cancellations must be made via email to info@raincityclay.com
If you want to cancel your class, you may request a refund based on the bullet points below. Then you may rebook yourself for a class that fits better into your schedule. Last-minute cancellations in classes are difficult to fill - please double-check your schedule before committing to an event. Refunds take several business days to process from the date we receive the email request.

• 100% of tuition (less a $15 processing fee) will be refunded if a student elects to drop a class no later than ten days (10 days) before the first class meeting.

• 80% of tuition (less a $15 processing fee) will be refunded if a student drops a class within 7 business days before the first class meeting.

• 50% of tuition (less a $15 processing fee) will be refunded if a student drops a class within 3 business days before the first class meeting.

• 0% of tuition is refunded if cancellation is made within two days of class for any reason except for documented medical emergencies. (providing a doctor's note). There are no other exceptions to this policy.

• No refunds or credit will be given for missed classes. Students currently enrolled in 10-week classes may practice during open studio time to build skills even if a class is missed. One-day clay events and lessons do not come with open studio time.

• We reserve the right to cancel a class or workshop up to 3 days in advance of the first class due to insufficient enrollment. If a class is canceled, you will be offered the option of another class or a full refund.