
Repetition in Form
Discover how to create tableware by blending wheel throwing, slabs, and bisque mold-making techniques, mastering consistency and precision in every form.
Spend a week with creative souls developing a new perspective on mastering the secret techniques of advanced wheel throwing! Create intricately detailed ceramic pieces while mastering size, design, and balance. Join us for a journey in creativity and skill-building!
June 8 – June 14, 2025
One week session
Kiln Unveiling
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Steere Studio
@ 10:00 AM
18+
$2,130
$1,150
$95
$50
All levels
Enrollment is limited to 10 students
During this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore how to create intricately incised, double-walled vessels that challenge conventional boundaries of design and physics. Building upon foundational throwing skills, we’ll start by designing open and closed vessels that resonate with your personal aesthetic. Throwing techniques will be demonstrated on how to craft tall, even walls, bulbous forms, narrow necks, and complex multi-piece shapes. As the week progresses, you’ll tackle larger and more complex forms, expanding the limits of your kiln and creativity. Ways to add personal character to your pieces, from adding custom textures and patterns to exploring innovative methods of altering and incising, will be introduced.
By the end of the week, you’ll gain a fresh perspective on wheel throwing and how to balance intricate details with scale. Prepare for a transformative journey of inspiration and skill-building. Students will depart with the tools to create exceptional ceramic art, as well as crystalline-fired glazed pieces and bisqueware.
Sondra Elder holds a BA from Rutgers University and a MS from DePaul. She studied internationally with some of the world’s most talented artists. Her experiences fueled Sondra’s artistic journey as a ceramist. She has taught various topics on three different continents over the past 10 years, including Grand Ballroom demonstrations at NCECA in 2023 and 2024. Her work has won numerous juried fine art awards and recent work is on permanent installation in Arlington, Virginia. She now brings her creative passion to Idyllwild Arts Academy Summer Program.
Artist website: www.muddysolpottery.etsy.com
Instagram: @sondraelderpottery
50 lbs English Porcelain WC415 Laguna clay, firing, and shared supplies including drawing materials and crystalline glaze.
The program will begin Sunday morning, with a brief orientation at 8:30 am. Workshops will start at 9 am.
Sunday night will feature a program mixer, where you will have an opportunity to meet with your classmates outside of the studio, as well as meet other students in our adult programs for the week.
Monday nights feature an opening reception at the Parks Exhibition Gallery, featuring work from our very own summer faculty!
Daily instruction occurs from 9am-12 pm, with a break for lunch in the campus dining hall (included in tuition), and followed with more instruction from 1pm- 4 pm.
Artist Talks will be held in the evenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This is a wonderful opportunity to listen to our Metals Week and HOT Clay instructors speak on their art.
On Saturday morning at 10 am, join your fellow workshop participants for an exciting kiln unveiling and celebration!
Discover how to create tableware by blending wheel throwing, slabs, and bisque mold-making techniques, mastering consistency and precision in every form.
Explore the fusion of color theory and form in ceramics. Enhance your skills with colored clay, experiment with materials, and gain a deeper understanding of color's role in your ceramic practice.
Explore the fusion of color theory and form in ceramics. Enhance your skills with colored clay, experiment with materials, and gain a deeper understanding of color's role in your ceramic practice.