Clay Plays are casual, beginner-friendly pottery sessions where you will learn basic ceramic handbuilding skills to create functional or decorative objects. Ages 10+ with an adult or ages 14+. Pieces are glazed, fired and ready for pick up in 3-6 weeks. Shipping is available for our visiting attendees for $15 plus shipping costs.

Create with clay for the day at our community clay studio, Ilwaco Artworks!

Sat/Sun, Jan 4th/5th: Block Printing Workshop (Mixed Level)| 10am-2pm – w/visiting artist, Eleanor Elektra Larsen.

Ages 10+ w/an adult or ages 14+. At The Sou’wester Lodge Pavilion 3728 J Pl Seaview, WA.

Learn the basics of block printing and experiment with DIY techniques for creating unique print media at home. This class is open to beginners as well as intermediate level printmaking students; we will cover techniques for rendering images in the carving block, hand-pressing prints and developing creative ideas.

Eleanor Elektra is an interdisciplinary artist based out of Boston MA and originally from the Pacific Northwest. Her work juxtaposes tangible and spiritual realms through juxtapositions of abstract and representational elements. When she’s not teaching private lessons and workshops she can be found working in her print studio or performing with her band.

Sat/Sun, Jan 4th & 5th: Handbuilt Vessels & Underglaze Decoration | All Level

2pm-6pm w/visiting artist Glenn Hendrick at Ilwaco Artworks – 109 1st Ave N. Ilwaco, WA. Ages 10+ w/an adult or ages 14+. Beginner-friendly/all experience levels welcome.

In this 2-day, beginner-friendly workshop, students will learn the basics of handbuilding with clay to create two bowls or tumblers. They will then explore two underglaze surface decoration techniques: sgraffito and water etching.

• Sgraffito involves carving through a layer of underglaze to reveal the clay beneath, creating intricate designs.
• Water etching uses wax resist to form patterns, allowing students to achieve a textured underglaze design.

Tuition includes all tools, clay, glaze, and firing for two finished pieces.

Glenn Hendrick is a San Juan Island, Washington-based artist working primarily in printmaking, painting, drawing, and ceramics. Glenn moved from Chicago to San Juan Island in 2013, helping to found Alchemy Art Center in 2018 where she is now Co-Executive Director. Much of Glenn’s pottery uses sgraffito and water etching techniques.

Sat/Sun, Jan 11th & 12th: Sculptural Wireworking | 10am-2pm w/visiting artist, Kristin Tollefson at The Sou’wester Lodge Pavilion. 3728 J Pl Seaview, WA. Ages 16+

Create small sculptural structures and jewelry elements using wire and techniques borrowed from fiber traditions. Learn how to use a small set of easily accessible tools and materials to build parts and pieces that are strong, flexible, and lightweight. Beginning students will focus on learning basic processes and creating a sampler of techniques; experienced students may make multiples or scale up to more complex constructions. All are welcome.

Kristin Tollefson is a Tacoma-based artist and educator whose work embraces the relationship between the body, the senses, and the environment. Her practice includes sculpture, jewelry, installation and writing. Kristin earned an MFA in Metalsmithing from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BA in Art History and Sociology/Anthropology from

Carleton College. She has received Fulbright US Scholar awards for research in Slovakia and Iceland, and multiple American-Scandinavian Foundation awards for work Iceland. Find her work at kltollefson.com or on social media @kltollefson.

San/Sun, Jan 18th & 19th: Learn Cameraless Photography w/visiting artist, Michaela Anderson. 10am-2pm at The Sou’wester Lodge Pavilion. 3728 J Pl Seaview, WA. Ages 10+ w/an adult or ages 14+

Discover the timeless art form of cyanotype through cyanotype weaving! Learn about the history behind this fun and unique photographic process while making paper weavings and creating beautiful textures to be exposed into photograms. Create your own stunning Prussian-blue prints and gain knowledge about bleaching and toning your prints to create dynamic designs. All materials are provided and no experience is necessary.

Michaela is a passionate photographer, educator, and weaver who enjoys teaching others about the joys of cameraless photography. She loves to spark creativity within learners of all ages through hands-on workshops. Michaela has expertise and a background in digital and film photography and loves to share about her experience with all kinds of photo processes. She hopes to cultivate a supportive learning environment and show others how easy it is to create stunning photographs and photograms right at home.

Sat, Jan 18th, 2pm-6pm: Sat, Jan 18th: Selecting, Designing, & Applying Decals to Glaze-Fired Mugs w/visiting artist, AJ Wahl

at Ilwaco Artworks – 109 1st Ave N. Ilwaco, WA.

Ages 10+ w/an adult or ages 14+. Beginner-friendly/all experience levels welcome.

In this class, students will learn how to apply overglaze decals to glaze-fired ceramics. The instructor will provide wood-fired mugs and a variety of decals to choose from. The workshop will also cover  applying decals to your work, purchasing overglaze decals online, designing simple custom decals, and the firing process needed to complete your decorated pieces. Participants may bring their own glaze-fired piece to decorate in addition to the provided mug (maximum size: 8 inches tall and 6 inches in diameter). Your finished work will be fired after the workshop and ready for pickup the following day, January 19th. For visiting attendees, shipping of finished pieces is available for $15 plus shipping costs.

Sat/Sun, Jan 25th & 26th: Relief prints on Fabric | 10am-2pm w/visiting artist Natalie Woodlock at The Sou’wester Lodge Pavilion. 3728 J Pl Seaview, WA. Ages 12+ w/an adult or ages 14+.

In this 2-day workshop we’ll make a small (9″ x 6″) decorative wall hanging, celebrating something or someone that is iconic to us. We’ll start by carving an image into a linoleum block, then hand-print it onto fabric. Using a template, we’ll cut the fabric into a decorative shape, sewing the edges with fringe and trim. Students will take home a decorative wall hanging of their own design, as well as extra prints on fabric.