Transforming Flat Slabs into Expressive Functional Pottery

Are you captivated by pottery that feels alive with movement? Explore how simple slab-building techniques can create dynamic, expressive functional forms. Through a combination of templates, custom hump molds, and thoughtful construction, you’ll learn to create pots with volume, gesture, and personality. We'll begin by coiling reusable clay hump molds, creating simple tools that introduce subtle curves and movement into slab sections. From there, you'll learn to design templates, shape slabs over your molds, and assemble non-round forms that feel fluid and intentional. Along the way we'll focus on strong construction techniques, clean seams, and developing confidence in fitting handbuilt parts together. As the week progresses, we'll transform these shapes into functional forms such as oil pourers, vases, trays, and more. Emphasizing process, experimentation, and thoughtful design, you will explore how spouts, handles, edges, and other details can enhance both the function and character of each piece. Through demonstrations, hands-on making, take-home instructions, and individual feedback, you'll leave with new approaches to slab construction and a collection of techniques you can continue to develop in your own studio.