In this hands-on class, you’ll explore alternative firing methods in a communal kiln firing setting such as Horsehair and Obvara.

Option one $40: Pick up 2lbs of raku clay at the studio any time after purchase and build your pieces at home. Drop your work off at the studio to be bisque-fired by Oct 5th. Then, join us for the raku fire, Oct 19th, 10a-1p where we will glaze and fire your pieces and they will be ready to take home that day. Basic tools kits are also for sale in the studio.

Option two $60: Join us on Oct 19th, 10a-1p and choose from pre-made, bisqued pieces to be glazed and fired and taken home that day!

Horse Hair Raku is a pottery technique that involves applying strands of horsehair to hot ceramic surfaces. As these materials burn, they leave intricate smoke patterns and carbon trails, which become permanent decorative marks on the piece once it cools.

Obvara—also known as “Baltic Raku”—is a little known Eastern European technique in which pottery, fresh from the kiln, is quickly submerged into a fermented mixture of water, sugar, and yeast. This process results in organic, black-and-white surface patterns and pigmentation that are completely unique, and is completed in under an hour.

American Raku is a contemporary take on the traditional Japanese method. In this process, works are removed from the kiln at peak heat, where rapid oxidation or combustible reduction produces dramatic surface effects on the clay and glaze. The results, uniquely colored by fire and smoke, are ready to handle in less than an hour. While pre-made ceramic vessels are provided by Ilwaco Artworks, students are encouraged to create their own pieces.

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

A beginner-friendly session, where you’ll learn handbuilding skills to craft a decorative or functional object. Clay Dates are open to solos, duos or friend groups and include a demo, clay, glaze, firing, and plenty of lasting memories for.

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. Bring friends and enjoy a group discount on additional tickets!

$15 off any 3 Clay Dates. Location: Ilwaco Artworks

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

Sat, Dec 28th, 2pm-6pm: Handbuild your own bud vase w/visiting artist, Laura Hoopenjans

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

Learn or expand on the basics of handbuilding using coils and slabs to make expressive and fun bud vases! This class is for all-levels and includes everything you need to make one or two finished small ceramic vases.

Laura Hoppenjans (she/they) is the artist behind Hop & Jans Studio, making fun ceramics to bring joy and color to your everyday life. They primarily focus on using handbuilding techniques to bring more expressive shapes and organic feels to their pottery. Visit hopandjans.com or follow @hopandjans on Instagram to learn more.

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.