The Boat Vessel Workshop with Cathleen

Service Description

The Boat Vessel Workshop — Two-Session Hand-Building & Surface Design Workshop with Cathleen Sullivan, a ceramic artist and educator with more than two decades of experience working in clay. $125 | All materials included Unwind and create in this evening-focused, two-session workshop centered on slab-built vessels and expressive surface design. Students will design and build a slab-constructed vessel, then return to explore decorative surface techniques using carving, slips, and underglazes. This extended format allows time for both thoughtful construction and intentional surface development—offering a complete, start-to-finish ceramic experience. Session One — Building the Vessel: Students will learn to use the slab roller, cut and assemble slab forms, and construct a vase or vessel using guided hand-building techniques. Emphasis is placed on proportion, stability, and form to prepare the piece for surface decoration. Session Two — Surface & Decoration: Once the vessel reaches leather-hard stage, students will be introduced to the instructor’s visual voice and approach to surface design, exploring how carving, slips, and underglazes can be layered and combined to create depth, movement, and expression on the vessel surface. No drawing experience is required and personal interpretation is encouraged. This workshop includes a more advanced build and is best suited for students with some clay experience. Beginners are welcome but may want to take an introductory class first. Supportive, step-by-step instruction helps everyone leave with a well-built piece. All materials included — clay, slips, underglaze, glaze, and firing. Finished pieces will be clear glazed by staff and ready for pickup after firing. Please review the Cancellation Policy on the website prior to registering.