The World of Nerikomi: Throwing and Hand Building with Coloured Clay
This multifaceted workshop is for participants to experiment with alternative ways of working with nerikomi and agate ware techniques using a contemporary approach. In this 5 day or 10 day workshop, Etty Anderson and Marina Lespérance Lopez will teach students alternative ways of nerikomi techniques developed for wheel throwing and jigsaw slab assembling. As well, students will learn techniques of using all parts of waste from the nerikomi process, from scraps to recycled coloured clay. Use of colour, intentional patterned throwing, foresight and design are forefront in this workshop. The participants will create a project (or projects) that merge the two processes.
Nerikomi work is by nature very prone to cracks and deformations, therefore, a portion of the teachings will be about crack management at all stages of the process: from soft clay, to bone dry, to bisque, until the last step when it's fully fired.
This workshop is best for people who are comfortable at the wheel. Hand building experience is plus, but not necessary. We can accommodate projects for beginners as well.
Workshop Information
Dates: Monday, July 7–Sunday, July 13, 2025
Price: $750 + GST = $787.50
Instructors: Marina Lopez + Etty Anderson
Registration Deadline: June 9, 2025
Maximum enrollment: 12 per class
Lodging Information
Price: $450 + GST = $472.50
Check in: Sunday, July 6 after 3:00 PM
Check out: Monday, July 14 at 10:00 AM
Lodging Capacity: 8 spots
Registration for this schedule starts on 01/31/2025 and ends on 06/09/2025
Participants must be 18 years or older when the program starts..
Groundlings: 10 Day Master Class with Shary Boyle
This participant-lead course invites individuals interested in sculptural ceramics to explore and develop their own ceramic “voice” with internationally known artist Shary Boyle as their guide.
This intensive 10-day workshop will be an occasion to court risk and vulnerability in a supportive space, to hone and develop skills, and to practise community exchange. This workshop is also a great opportunity to test new approaches and ideas for graduate work or exhibition. Shary will be drawing from her 20 years of multimedia studio and collaborative practise to create an environment of collective conversation and learning among the workshop participants. There will be one-on-one technical and concept feedback, a surprise workshop, and a professional slide lecture by Shary over the 10 days. Group and one-on-one critiques will help inform the path artists will take, but overall, this responsive class will be participant-driven.
Groundlings is intended for artists with at least a medium level of ceramic skill, as you must be able to work independently. Prepare to explore and communicate why you are making art, and for whom. We will be focused on hand building, coiling and glazing, not slip casting or moulds.
Workshop Information
Dates: Wednesday, July 16–Friday, July 25, 2025
Price: $1325 + GST = $1391.25
Instructors: Shary Boyle
Registration Deadline: June 18, 2025
Maximum enrollment: 12 per class
Lodging Information
Price: $525 + GST = $551.25
Check in: Tuesday, July 15 after 3:00 PM
Check out: Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 AM
Lodging Capacity: 8 spots
Registration for this schedule starts on 01/31/2025 and ends on 06/18/2025
Participants must be 18 years or older when the program starts..
Making Plaster Moulds for Soft Objects and Inflatables
In this workshop we’ll cover all aspects of plaster mould making for use with slip casting. We’ll go over types of plaster, measuring, mixing, and pouring techniques, and ways to cottle and dam moulds. We’ll also discuss selecting items for mould making, the best ways to seal and prep objects, and planning how to tackle multiple-part moulds. We’ll discuss how to cast soft and/or inflatable objects, as well as objects with many undercuts. Lastly, we’ll cover the basics of slip casting: in the interest of time, this will be the area with the least emphasis in the workshop. This can be tailored to student’s needs, but workshop participants should expect to leave the class with finished moulds, not necessarily fired work.
Though we’ll do multiple demonstrations and lecture-based learning in this class, students should come with objects they would like to cast and/or project(s) they would like to undertake. Hands-on, active learning, as well as troubleshooting, will form the foundation of the workshop. This workshop is open to all levels of experience.
Workshop Information
Dates: Monday, July 28–Sunday, August 3, 2025
Price: $750 + GST = $787.50
Instructors: Jocelyn Reid
Registration Deadline: June 30, 2025
Maximum enrollment: 12 per class
Lodging Information
Price: $450 + GST = $472.50
Check in: Sunday, July 27 after 3:00 PM
Check out: Monday, August 4 at 10:00 AM
Lodging Capacity: 8 spots
Registration for this schedule starts on 01/31/2025 and ends on 06/30/2025
Participants must be 18 years or older when the program starts..
Thinking with Models
The workshop will focus on the use of models, templates, tests, and auxiliary work that artists use as preparation and/or experimentation within their practice. Exercises and demonstrations will be focused on working solid, enlarging miniatures using coil building, slab building with tar paper templates, and the use of drawing in relation to ceramic form. Throughout the class, we will use specific ceramic methods and tools to develop clay forms as either pottery or sculpture. Through this process individuals should come away with the ability to use models as a method to translate ideas into large scale work. Students do not need any artistic or ceramic experience.
Workshop Information
Dates: Wednesday, August 6–Sunday, August 10, 2025
Price: $595 + GST = $624.75
Instructors: Zimra Beiner
Registration Deadline: July 9, 2025
Maximum enrollment: 12 per class
Lodging Information
Price: $350 + GST = $367.50
Check in: Tuesday, August 5 after 3:00 PM
Check out: Monday, August 11 at 10:00 AM
Lodging Capacity: 10 spots
Registration for this schedule starts on 01/31/2025 and ends on 07/09/2025
Participants must be 18 years or older when the program starts..
Medalta’s Intensive Adult Workshops are an opportunity to strengthen your practice and develop a knowledge base around a specific area within ceramics. These workshops are led by established experts in their chosen field and offer an immersive hands-on experience within a collaborative studio environment. We offer a range of opportunities to appeal to a wide-variety of interests.
Our Adult Workshops pursue contemporary interventions in ceramics, new technologies, and methods with mentors who are invested in their areas of research.
Why Choose Our Adult Workshops?
💡 Expert guidance from experienced mentors
💡 Explore and learn advanced contemporary techniques
💡 24-hour studio access for the duration of the workshop
💡 Immersive experience in the Historic Clay District
Registration Information
To register for a Workshop, please click REGISTER below. You will be asked to create a Jumbula account or to sign into your preexisting account.
Adding lodging? Click REGISTER FOR SAME PROGRAM at check out. Select your workshop and click lodging.
Refund Policy
A full refund (minus a $25 administration fee) will be issued if you cancel by the registration deadline. For cancellations after the registration deadline or no-shows, we will be unable to issue any refund. If you need to cancel due to medical reasons (documentation required), you will receive a partial refund.
Post Secondary Student Discount
Current post secondary students can receive 25% off the workshop fee ONLY. Maximum of two students per workshop with valid proof of current student ID.
To receive the discount, choose one of the following:
OR
2. Email a photo of your current ID to [email protected]. We will email you promo code to apply the discount online at check out.
Please contact Friends of Medalta Society if you have any questions.