Mystical Altars with Vanessa Villarreal (3 Evening)
$395.00
MYSTICAL ALTARS
July 22–24, 2026 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Ceramic artist Vanessa Villarreal leads this immersive three-evening intensive exploring the creation of decorative and functional handbuilt altars in her signature mystical, richly detailed, and reflective style.
About the Workshop
Summer, with all of its movement—travel, gatherings, long days—often pulls us outward. This intensive offers a pause: a space to turn inward and build something meaningful.
Guided by ceramic artist Vanessa Villarreal, participants will design and construct a small-scale altar form that weaves together symbolism, structure, surface, and story. Working through slab construction and handbuilding techniques—including texture, pattern, and appliqué—students will create wall-based or freestanding altar forms rooted in personal imagery and intention.
Vanessa shares her approach to building delicate yet structurally sound forms, breaking down how she works with slab (soft or firm) to create refined, dimensional pieces. Her surface techniques are explored in depth, including layered appliqué, pattern-building, and the translation of symbolic imagery into cohesive visual language.
Across the three evenings, participants move from ideation and sketching through construction, refinement, and surface development. Emphasis is placed on craftsmanship, clarity of design, and creating work that reflects each maker’s inner landscape.
This workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from Vanessa’s artistic process in a focused, concept-driven format.
Learn more about Vanessa’s work here.
Workshop Schedule
DAY 1 — July 22 | 6:00–9:00pm
Introduction to altar forms, symbolism, and structural planning. Demonstrations focus on slab construction and building foundational forms.
Participants will begin constructing their altar bases.
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Introduction to altar forms and conceptual development
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Demonstrations on structural planning and slab construction
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Supported time to begin building base forms
DAY 2 — July 23 | 6:00–9:00pm
Refining structure and developing surface through appliqué and pattern. Focus on dimensional additions and integrating personal imagery.
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Demonstrations on layering, appliqué, and surface development
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Troubleshooting structural and compositional challenges
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Guided work time to expand and refine forms
DAY 3 — July 24 | 6:00–9:00pm
Surface finishing and colour application. Vanessa demonstrates oxide washes, underglaze techniques, and discusses lustre application. Participants complete and prepare work for firing.
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Surface refinement and decoration demonstrations
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Reinforcing structure and resolving edges and transitions
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Final supported work time and cleanup
INCLUDED:
- The piece will be bisque fired and ready for in 3-4 weeks.
- 3 hours of studio time with access to LOAM's underglazes for bisque decorating.
- Pieces can be clear glazed by LOAM Staff and glaze fired at LOAM if you want, but you may also complete the final firing on your own.
- 5kg of white cone 6 porcelain
Ideal Participants
This intensive is best suited for intermediate to advanced handbuilders who are comfortable working independently and ready to engage in more concept-driven work.
Wheel-based makers with handbuilding experience who are interested in detailed slab construction and surface development are also welcome.
If you’re unsure whether this workshop is the right fit, please reach out—we’re happy to help guide you.
About the Artist
Vanessa Villarreal is a Gatineau-based ceramic artist known for her intricately detailed handbuilt tableware and sculptural forms. Her work explores themes of nostalgia, folklore, mysticism, and the natural world through layered surface, careful composition, and considered structure.
Her work has been featured in galleries and curated markets across the region, including 260 Fingers, and was included in Ceramics: Creative Adventures in Clay (Uppercase, 2020). Vanessa has also collaborated internationally with Anthropologie on a ceramic collection released worldwide.
Learn more about Vanessa’s work here.