Public Image Presentation: December 8th, 7pm
Location: Rain City Clay (This event is free and open to the public)

Deb will give a 45min talk on how she got her start in pottery and slowly built up to Rain City Clay.  She will share ways that she uses both the potter’s wheel and handbuilding techniques to create her pottery.

Deb will also connect how she takes inspiration from all around her and brings these details into the forms and surfaces of her work. Come with questions!

Workshop: December 9th & 10th, 9am-5pm (30-45 minute lunch break)
Two full days of working with clay at RCC!
Instructor: Deb Schwartzkopf
Participation Fee: $225

Workshop Description:
In this two-day workshop, Deb will demonstrate playful, technique-based projects that will hone your skills in everything from altering thrown cylinders, adding attachments, and combining wheel-thrown and handbuilt parts. Both those interested in wheel throwing and hand building will benefit from blending these processes in this hands-on workshop.

We will provide you with 25lbs of clay to work with during the workshop. Firings are not included, and you are responsible for bringing your own tools for both days. Consider our sister studio, Rat City Studios, for your firing needs!

• Set in motion your ability to alter simple thrown shapes with helpful exercises. Shift your wheel-thrown circular cylinder into an oval, square, or asymmetrical form.

• Approach functional vessels from another angle as we build with multiple wheel-thrown and handbuilt parts. Learn to stack or combine multiple simple components to create surprising functional shapes!

• Create your own templates and use paper as a tool for creating inventive spouts for pitchers or creamers.

• Pull and alter handles to create attachments with flare!

Simple wheel-thrown pieces will be darted and tucked to shift their shape. Then we will combine them to make pottery we can use at the dinner table.  We spend time playing with templates to help us make slab spouts. In the end, all these approaches will be combined in making expressive shapes.

While making, Deb will also discuss the way she thinks about surface and how it can change the way the form is perceived. This workshop will offer many different examples of building with clay which will enrich the skills of both the hand builder and the wheel thrower alike.

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

• Plates - Throw and alter plates to triangles, horse-shoes, or ovals!

• Creamers or Pitchers - dart and tuck cylinders to invent and play with form.

• Vase - Explore the oval and stack shapes.

• Dessert Boat - Learn a fun technique that will give you endless shape possibilities!

• Attachments - Learn to make a slab spout that pours well and alter pulled handles.

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 to those with experience in clay.

What to Bring:

We have some of these in house, but if you have your own, please bring them.

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, 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- preferrably 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

Bats – each person will want around 5-7 bats to throw parts on depending on the person and projects. 

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.