Clay Date - Pour Your Slab Out!

Join us for a fun & beginner-friendly 3-part workshop series where you’ll create your very own slab-built ceramic house in any style you choose! No prior experience is necessary. Pre-made clay slabs will be provided, allowing you to focus on cutting, shaping, assembling, and decorating your piece.

You’ll learn essential techniques such as scoring, joining, and adding texture while personalizing your house with windows, doors, and unique details. All firings will be completed by the instructor between sessions.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a beautifully finished ceramic house to take home and enjoy.

The fee of $​120 per person includes your admission to ALL THREE CLASSES in this workshop series​ over consecutive weeks​ on the following dates:

Session 1: Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9am-11:30am
Assembling & Decorating the House

• Project overview and introduction to materials
• Working with pre-made clay slabs
• Cutting out house components (walls, roof, windows, doors)
• Scoring and joining techniques
• Shaping and assembling the structure
• Adding texture and decorative details
• Preparing pieces for drying and the first firing (completed by the instructor)

Session 2: Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 9am-11:30am
Glazing the Bisque-Fired House

• Review of bisque-fired pieces
• Introduction to glazes and expected results
• Demonstration of glaze application and layering
• Students glaze their ceramic houses
• Instructor fires all glazed pieces after class

Session 3: Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9am-11:30am
Sanding, Tools Overview & Studio Safety

• Light sanding of the base for a clean finish
• Overview of essential ceramic tools and their uses
• Introduction to basic glaze types and how they behave
• Discussion on studio safety and proper material handling
• Tips for continuing your clay journey at home or in community studios
• Final reflection and viewing of completed work

MATERIALS FEE

Please bring an apron and wear clothing that you don’t mind getting muddy, plus $25 cash for the instructor to cover all materials, both firings, consumables, and tool use for all three sessions.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Gina Mar is a ceramic artist based on Vancouver Island with over 20 years of experience working with clay. Her work focuses on slab-built pottery and handcrafted jewellery inspired by the ocean and local wildflowers. Her creative practice is rooted in exploration, learning, and the joy of making art—passions she loves sharing with beginners. Teaching allows Gina to witness the excitement and confidence students gain as they develop new skills, which is one of the most rewarding parts of her work.

CLASS LOCATION

This workshop series is hosted by the Arts & Culture Colwood Society at the Goldfinch Arts Centre, a bright & modern gallery space that looks out to the Esquimalt Lagoon and the Colwood Waterfront beyond, where you will be surrounded by original artwork by local artists in an exhibition called Out of the Ordinary, which runs from January 8th through February 1st.

Please visit our website for more details on this and other upcoming events: www.artsandculturecolwood.ca.

Class size limit 14 people

Ticket sales end on Tuesday, January 6th, at 2pm PST