Mastering Big Pots — In-person Workshops
Five-day sessions in Brattleboro, Vermont
“My throwing skills improved by leaps and bounds after this workshop. I ended up throwing by far the biggest vessel I have ever thrown, both height- and width-wise, and I was able to do it on my own. Great workshop!”
Mastering Big Pots
March 11-15, 2026 (FULL)
April 29 - May 3, 2026 $1,500 (FULL)
September 9 - 13, 2026 $1,500 (FULL)
September 30 - Oct. 3, 2026 $1,500 NEW DATES
Spend a week in beautiful Vermont and take a deep dive into big pot-making. Stephen Procter will share foundational strategies and techniques that will enable you to make wheel-thrown vessels of practically any size. Exploration of materials, tool-making, and design considerations will prepare you to make work that is compelling and true to your vision.
This workshop is suitable for potters with intermediate or more advanced level wheel skills. Participants should be able to comfortably center and throw at least 5 pounds of clay. You will learn:
How to select and condition a clay bodies for large forms.
Strategies to minimize strain and protect your body from injury.
How to stack sections that allow for spontaneous improvisation.
Making strong joins.
Use of torches and fans for moisture control.
Aesthetic and logistical design considerations.
Troubleshooting and saves.
We will punctuate teaching and practice sessions with inspiring outings to meet other artists and take advantage of our region's culinary and recreational riches.
Enrollment is limited to 8 to ensure lots of individual attention and accommodate individual projects. Contact us if a payment plan is needed. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation, lodging, and meals. Hartford, CT is the most convenient airport, and there are many good and affordable Air BNB options in and around Brattleboro.
MATERIALS & TOOLS:
Tuition covers unlimited clay used in the workshop that the studio retains. A dedicated wheel and storage space will be provided for each student. An assortment of standard and large throwing tools will be available for shared use during the workshop.
Students should plan to bring their own well-marked tools, aprons, etc., in addition.
The focus of the workshop is to give you the skills and confidence to make large pots in your home studio, not necessary to produce work to keep (first big pots are rarely masterpieces!). However, should a student wish to take green work home, the cost is $2/lb. at leather hard or dry. Finished work can be fired at a cost of $5/lb. (post-firing weight). Pick-up or shipping is required within 30 days of firing.
LEARN ONLINE!
Can’t make it to an in-person workshop? We know that tuition, travel and lodging can add up to make in-person workshops a considerable investment. As an alternative choice, check out the online video tutorial.
In it I describe and demonstrate all my essential strategies and techniques. For people who learn well in the online format, the video teaches everything needed to get started throwing big.