Potter, instructor, and Loam Studio member Milo leads this three-week course in which participants explore techniques for throwing tall and reflect on the challenges of throwing with intent.

About the Course

Many potters look to extend their practice by throwing taller. Learning to manipulate larger amounts of clay certainly extends a potter’s range of forms, but it also raises questions of intent that inform and enrich an entire practice.

Through demonstration and supported practice, participants explore the how, the what, and the why of throwing taller. The course focuses on a single form, the cylinder, to demonstrate throwing strategies for manipulating larger amounts of clay, wet-on-wet extensions, and combining leather hard pieces.

Students will have the opportunity to try each technique with Milo’s feedback and guidance, and will engage with each other over a series of questions enhancing a mindset that fosters throwing with intent.

Learn more about Milo here.

Course Schedule

WEEK 1
The first week introduces participants to techniques that open the opportunity to throw with larger amounts of clay. In exercising these methods participant will also begin to appreciate that throwing is less about following rules, than about recognizing underlying principles that allow a potter to adapt to new challenges.

WEEK 2
The second week of the course reviews wedging and other aspects of preparing larger amounts of clay. Most importantly our objectives are to extend the lessons of week 1 as participants throw even taller with the goal of preparing at least two cylinders in anticipation of joining leather hard forms.

WEEK 3
Wet-on-wet extensions are demonstrated, and their advantages and limitations discussed. The final stages of joining of two leather hard pieces is also demonstrated and practiced.