Sampler

Service Description

This introductory series gives students the opportunity to experience the three foundational methods of clay handbuilding featured throughout the Clay Foundations program: pinch, coil and slab construction. Through a variety of guided projects, students will get a sense of what the following months have to offer. Pinching is one of the oldest and most essential forms of clay handbuilding, teaching students how to shape clay through pressure, balance and touch. In this series, students will learn how simple pinching methods can transform a ball of clay into functional pottery and sculptural artwork while developing an understanding of wall thickness, form, symmetry and structural integrity. As projects progress, participants will strengthen foundational clay skills including shaping, smoothing, attaching components and adding texture. These techniques form the basis for more advanced handbuilding methods and help students build confidence working directly with clay by hand.