Pottery has always been an art and science of the earth. Foraging for local clays begins a conversation with our local landscape. Through observation and experimentation our appreciation deepens for the unique histories and personalities of the minerals in our hands.

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

Saturday February 21st and Sunday February 22nd from 10-4pm

We will spend the first day in the foothills around Oakland, meeting mudflows and subsoils deposited from a time when the area was under the ocean. We will learn about the unique geology of Bay Area and how its dynamic history effects how and where we can find clay. We will discuss foraging, processing, clay bodies, blending and more! See a full weekend schedule below.

This workshop will focus clays and materials found on the West Coast, but can still be useful to those who live in a different part of the country.

This workshop is taking place on the unceded indigenous lands of the Ohlone. 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!

Workshop Format

The first day will be at an outdoor foraging location just outside of Portland metro. We will:

• experience different clay personalities one finds when foraging,

• identify appropriate places for foraging,

• process clay for best handbuilding or wheel throwing results

• discuss the basics of blending theory, additives, and more

• blend and build a small wild clay bowl that will then be bisque fired and available to pick up two weeks later.

On our second day, back at Nola Clay, eastside Portland we will:

• discuss kiln firing protocols and techniques, as well as alternative firing methods

• explore the basics of natural glazes and slips

• make our own line blend glaze tests and glaze our handbuilt bowls from day one