Weekend Ceramic Slipware Workshop

Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 March, 10am-3pm

Whether you are a beginner to clay or a wheel throwing wizard, this workshop is open to all levels. We will begin by making two pinch pots with two 300 gram balls of clay which will be joined together to make a form which we can later play with. We will discover how to use the wheel as a creative tool. Continuing the process by exploring slab built forms and developing shapes which use the ‘pillow technique’.  I will aim to cover the basics of throwing to enhance our slab pillow and pinched forms.  

 The class will be split over a weekend, the Saturday will be action packed of making pots and playing with forms and incorporating a bit of throwing if desired but not necessary. Followed by a Sunday of decorating with slip being dipped, trailed and finger wiped. Our focus will be to enjoy the process and try new techniques.  

Materials

All materials and tools provided.

About the Erica Taylor Low

Erica is an artist who makes predominantly functional pots for everyday use. Drawn to making traditional pots as it connects them to the past, present and future. Erica is contributing to a conversation of wares which have been made for generations. By making traditional pots they can feel connected to their heritage.  

Originally from the Arbroath area, Erica did most of their formal training in Devon, England. In 2023 they were lucky enough to have multiple scholarships and teaching opportunities at Penland School of Craft.  Inspired by Western North Carolina and the Penland area and the community Erica found themself in there. While living there and being surrounded by well made crafts, this pushed them to hold my own work at a higher standard and to always strive to learn new things. Erica thrives in a sociable and supported educational environment.  

Erica enjoys making a family of similar pots and watching them become individuals through the decorating process. They like bringing control into the making process by weighing clay and throwing pots to a pointer and giving up that control to the kiln during the decorating. They are in collaboration with clay.