Coil-Built Animal Sculpture

Bring your favorite animal subjects to life in clay during this intensive sculptural workshop with ceramic artist Sara Torgison.

This workshop will focus on hollow-building strategies for creating animal subjects in clay. Through the exploration of animal figures, students will consider form, structure, and texture while developing ceramic surface treatments.

The workshop will cover capturing likeness through pinch and coil-building techniques while strengthening skills in observing and recording important details. Students will be guided through planning with photographic references and creating a base structure before moving into detailing, surface development, and the application of underglazes and slips.

Materials To Bring

• Basic sculpting tools
• Serrated ribs
• Inexpensive brushes for slips and underglazes
• Favorite personal sculpting or texture tools
• Preferred underglaze colors, if desired
• Photo references of the animal you would like to sculpt

Participants are encouraged to bring several clear photographs showing their chosen animal from multiple angles whenever possible.

Materials Provided & Studio Firing

Each participant will receive one 25 lb bag of clay. A bisque firing will take place midweek. Basic studio tools and materials are provided, and participants will have 24-hour access to the studio throughout the workshop.

Please bring packing materials to safely transport any greenware and bisqueware. Not all pieces made during the workshop will be dry enough to be fired.

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Schedule:

Sunday

• 4:00–5:00 PM: Check-In at Adamah Retreat Center
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Welcome Dinner
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Introductions, Workshop Overview & Get Settled

Monday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Demos & Studio Time
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–5:00 PM: Demos & Studio Time
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio Time/Hiking/Explore

Tuesday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Demos & Studio Time
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–5:00 PM: Demos & Studio Time
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio Time/Hiking/Explore

Wednesday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Demos & Studio Time 
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–5:00 PM: Demos & Studio Time 
• Evening: Chef’s Night Off — explore the area and enjoy dinner on your own!
• Open Studio Time/Hiking/Explore

Thursday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Demos & Studio Time
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–5:00 PM: Demos & Studio Time 
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio Time/Hiking/Explore

Friday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00–10:30 AM: Final Making & Refining
• 10:30 AM–12:00 PM: Group Critique, Discussion & Workshop Wrap-Up
• 12:00 PM: Workshop Ends

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View frequently asked questions here!