Wild CLAY WOrkshop

Together with artist Caitlin Zachow, Amy Joy Hosterman will lead participants through the entire process of creating ceramic work with the local wild red clay, from sustainably harvesting to firing your work. Students will work together to dig the clay from the ground, collect natural temper materials, process and mix clay bodies, and fire ceramic work on site. We use simple and widely-accessible tools, techniques, and materials to build a practice that can be duplicated almost anywhere, with what you have at hand. This is an immersive workshop and an exercise in making art from the natural world. 

Because of the clay’s slow drying time in this humid environment, students should expect to make a several small pieces, rather than one larger project. We will give demonstrations of various building methods and decorative surface techniques that work best with this clay, and give technical advice and conceptual guidance as needed.

Amy will present on her years of research of our local glacial-lacustrine clay, which we affectionately call “Yooper YumYum” for its likeness to chocolate custard. We will discuss the basics of making a clay body suited for particular uses, and options for firing without costly equipment, including converting old electric kilns to gas for use in remote locations.

This workshop is intended for those who have some previous experience with clay. If you are newer to clay, you will be guided through the process with suggested projects and techniques. If you are experienced in clay, you will greatly broaden your material knowledge and practical skill set by exploring this world of wild clay.

 

CLAY WORKSHOP STUDENTS CAN EXPECT TO:

  • Collect and process raw clay on site using simple methods and basic tools

  • Learn how to identify, locate, and harvest clay in the wild

  • Formulate simple clay bodies for specific uses

  • Create hand-built, wheel-thrown, or organic burn-out work

  • Fire, glaze, and finish work on site using accessible techniques

  • Fire together using pit/surface firings, electric, and gas kilns.

  • Work together through all parts of the ceramic process, helping each other with clay processing and drying, loading and firing kilns, and mixing glazes.

  • Prepare extra clay for “Day In Clay,” and assist in leading members of the public through making their own wild clay pot at this one-day workshop at the local school, just down the road from camp. We put on this event every year as a way to connect and to give back to this small-but-generous, remote-but-resourceful community. It’s a half-day of handbuilding little creatures with friendly families.

 

CERAMICS FACILITIES INCLUDE:

  • Large work tables, workspace, tool cubby space in the Seeger Studio Barn

  • Outdoor covered workspace (the Clay Cathedral) for drying clay and firing propane kilns

  • All the clay you can harvest & process

  • Buckets, screens, mixers, drying bats, etc, for clay slip processing

  • Two treadle potter’s wheels

  • Various throwing and sculpting tools available

  • Barrels and pits for primitive-style firings

  • 2 Propane gas kilns for glaze firing and organic burn-out firings

  • Electric kiln for bisque and oxidation firings

  • Slips and Low-fire glazes provided

  • Firing safety gear (welding gloves, tongs)

 

RESIDENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR PERSONAL SAFETY GEAR:

  • safety glasses

  • dust masks

  • work gloves

  • work boots

  • non-flammable clothing