March Workshop Notes — Seven Pots, Seven People, One Very Good Week

The March 11–15 workshop here in Brattleboro was one of those weeks that reminds me why I continue teaching these small group sessions. There were seven students this time, which turned out to be just the right number. Small enough that everyone had space to work at their own pace, but large enough to create that shared momentum that makes the studio feel alive.

From the first day, the energy in the room was unusually good. Everyone arrived ready to work, but also ready to pay attention — to the clay, to the process, and to each other. That combination always leads somewhere interesting. By the second day, the conversations were flowing as easily as the throwing, and by the end of the week the shelves were filling with strong, confident forms. Some very good-looking pots came out of this group.

For those new to sectional throwing, the shift in scale can be surprising. Once the basic rhythm of building in sections starts to make sense, the idea of working larger stops feeling theoretical and becomes something you can actually do with your hands. A few students crossed size thresholds they hadn’t attempted before, and did it successfully. That’s always satisfying to watch.

Returning students used the week differently, which is exactly how it should be. Less about learning the steps, more about refining proportion, solving structural problems, and pushing the forms toward something more personal. When that happens, the workshop becomes less of a class and more of a working studio, which is the goal.

These five-day sessions are demanding. There’s no way around that. Building large pots takes physical effort, concentration, and a willingness to keep going when things don’t work the first time. But when the pieces start to come together, the fatigue is replaced by that particular kind of satisfaction that only comes from making something you weren’t sure you could make.

By the end of the week, there was the usual mix of tired arms, full shelves, and a lot of quiet pride. That’s a good sign.

For those who have been thinking about joining a workshop, I’ve just opened a new set of dates:

September 30 - October 3 (1 SPOT LEFT)

October 28 - November 1
$1,500 — NEW DATES

Details and registration information are available on the workshops link.