Pottery has always been an art and science of the earth. Foraging for local clays begins a conversation with our local landscape in which our understanding of the geological narratives and mineral personalities in our hands deepens with time and experimentation.

Saturday, August 9th 10:00 AM -4:00PM (location will be disclosed the week of the workshop)
Sunday, August 10th  10:00AM -4:00PM at Nola Clay

We will spend the first day in the foothills around Portland, meeting the young subsoils formed from Columbia River Basalts and learning about the unique geology of the Portland Basin. We will discuss foraging, processing, clay bodies, blending and more! The Portland area geology, as well as recently industrial history has limited the clay resources of the region, so it is important to know that while some foraging is possible in the area, this workshop will focus on applying this knowledge to the Pacific Northwest as well.

This two day intro course explores the complex chemistry and creativity of working with wild clays of the Pacific Northwest and how to integrate them into your pottery practice.

The first day will be an outdoor foraging location just outside Portland and will include:

• an exploration of the different clay personalities one finds when foraging,

• how to identify appropriate places for foraging,

• how to process clay for best handbuilding or wheel throwing results, and

• the basics of blending theory, additives, and more

On our second day, we will:

• make small pinch pots to get a hands-on feel for clay blending and how to create tests. These will then be bisque fired and availible to pick up the following week.

• discuss mid-range firing protocols and techniques, as well as

• overview the basics of natural glazes and slips.

Workshop cost is $285.

This workshop is taking place on the unceded indigenous lands of Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, and Molalla. Understanding our materials as potters connects us intimately with the geologic, as well as peopled histories of these lands. It is our responsibility as guests in these places to come with respect and care for these histories and ecosystems, so that we are contributing to connection and protection and not perpetuating extraction and harm.

If you are Indigenous or Native American, Black, Latino/a/x/e, or someone of the global majority that has been prevented from connecting to, tending or protecting the land as a result of colonial oppression there is a 30% waived fee for participation in this workshop. Please email us to get the check out code!

Attendees must be 18 or older or otherwise accompanied by a parent.