On Saturday, April 29 and Sunday April 30, The Umbrella Ceramics Studio is excited to invite renowned ceramic artist Paul Briggs for a two-day weekend workshop, “Pinch-Forming: A Mindful Approach“.

Students will observe Paul’s unique and meditative process for creating pinched vessels and learn pinch forming techniques through a variety of forms and embellishments.

The vessel becomes a product of the process of growing and expanding a form from one piece of clay without addition or subtraction. Paul is especially mindful of transitions in the forming process, developing dramatic forms and varied surfaces through attention and care.

Saturday, April 29 (Saturday-only registration is available)
On Saturday Paul will begin with an introduction and discussion, along with slides of his work and other inspirations. We will see demonstrations of his pinch forming techniques through a variety of forms and embellishments.

Sunday, April 30 (Registration for Saturday & Sunday required; space is limited)
On Sunday, Paul will guide students in gaining fluency with bowl, cylindrical, and vase forms, and refining these objects during the stages of the hardening clay. Having learned to competently move clay using only their hands, students will then explore how to strategically reserve clay within a form in areas of their choice to create relief designs and patterns that emerge from the pinch-formed vessel. Clay can also be purchased through The Umbrella website.