Celebrity Workshops & Intensives
May 16 & 17
Day 1: Friday May 16th, 5-8PM (Throwing, Demonstrations)
Day 2: Saturday May 17th, 10AM-4PM (Throwing, Demonstrations, Trimming & Finishing)
In this two part workshop students will learn from demonstrations and ample time at the wheel, exploring the intricacies of constructing enclosed boxes and lidded containers. Applying foundational knowledge on the wheel, workshop participants will push themselves to throw and alter functional forms that can serve as salt cellars, spice jars, jewelry boxes, sugar jars, garlic keepers, treasure jars, and urns. Students will learn how to throw forms, and watch demos on how to trim the form. Part 1 will explore throwing, and pieces will dry in overnight before we reconvene for part 2 on Saturday. More throwing, trimming, practice and demonstration will complete the workshop on Saturday.
This workshop is open to individuals with a solid foundation in their own ceramics practice; we ask that beginners and students/makers with less than 1 year of experience do not register, as instructors will be building upon foundational techniques throughout this workshop. Participants can look forward to both demonstrations and hands-on wheel work to achieve dynamic enclosed lidded forms throughout this workshop.
Calipers will be a required material/tool for this workshop and participants will have the option to purchase with their registration if they don’t have their own to bring to the weekend. Firing is not included in this demonstration and skill based workshop; Easthampton Clay members who register will have the option to trim and fire with our studio beyond the workshop. Any outside participants will have the option to bring trimmed pieces back for a bisque firing at an additional fee.
Lucy Fagella has been making and teaching pottery for over 40 years. In 2001 she began her full-time career as a potter, specializing in handmade urns, salt cellars, garlic, keepers, sugar, jars, and other functional lidded jars for the kitchen. Her work has been included in many national juried and invitational exhibitions, as well as various publications and ceramic books. American Craft Magazine, Ceramics Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, Crafts Report, Studio Potter, Country Living, Yankee Magazine, Foodies of New England, and Edible Pioneer Valley. Ceramic books include, 500 Cups, 500 Pitchers, 500 Teapots Vol 2, by Lark publications. Design and Create Contemporary Tableware, Herbert Press. In the Potter’s Kitchen, American Ceramic Society. Lucy has been a member of the Asparagus Valley Pottery Guild since 2001 and is one of the founding members of the Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail since its inception in 2005.
"The first time I set my hands on clay I was a senior in high school, I knew immediately I wanted to make a career of it. I graduated from Alfred University School of Art and Design with a BFA in 1985. I set my sights on one day being able to make a living from my work. Slowly over the years between raising children and teaching ceramics I honed my skills as a potter, and in 2001 I was able to make pottery a full time endeavor.”
Put A Lid On It: Exploring Unusual Lidded Forms
An Intensive Workshop with Special Guest Artist Maya Machin
Saturday, June 29th, 2024 | 10AM-4PM
Easthampton Clay is thrilled to be hosting renowned potter Maya Machin for our first in-house skill intensive workshop on June 29th. This will be a 6 hour day in the studio during which participants will examine the intricacies of enclosed and lidded ceramic forms on the wheel. Throughout this workshop, participants will learn to hone their skills through detailed demonstrations and hands-on application of techniques designed to elevate your approach to forms.
This workshop will delve into the many intricacies of making lidded forms. Maya will review some common lid forms before delving into more in depth and unusual shapes (such as stacking canisters, split canisters, and stopper type lids.) Participants will discuss balancing aesthetics and functionality, and how to get a perfect fit every time. The one day intensive format of this workshop will compel us to focus on the process of making, technique and skill building rather than the finished work itself. (Participants are welcome to take their greenware with them at the end of this workshop, but firing a finished piece is not included in this workshop).
This workshop is open to individuals with a solid foundation in their own ceramics practice; we ask that beginners and students/makers with less than 1 year of experience do not register, as instructors will be building upon foundational techniques throughout this workshop. Participants can look forward to both demonstrations and hands-on wheel work to achieve dynamic enclosed forms throughout this workshop.
Calipers will be a required material/tool for this workshop and participants will have the option to purchase with their registration if they don’t have their own to bring to the weekend. Easthampton Clay will bisque fire finished pieces following the workshop. We will reach out when pieces are bisqued and ready for pickup.
Maya Machin grew up on a homestead in Vermont where the emphasis was on using and making things by hand. Maya began her pottery endeavors at Romulus Craft where she did a mini-apprenticeship for her senior project in high school, and was completely hooked. She attended Hampshire College and concentrated on early childhood education and ceramics. In 2003, she began a three-year apprenticeship with Mark Shapiro in Worthington, MA. She has also studied under and/or assisted David Stuempfle, Michael Kline, Kim Ellington, Naomi Dalglish, and Michael Hunt. She shows regularly in juried craft shows and galleries in the area. Maya has always loved teaching and is adept at meeting every student where they are and helping them increase their skill in a way that works for them.
