Sculptural Vessels & Hollow Forms
with Jerilyn Virden
April 6-19, 2025
Students will use a variety of hand-building techniques to explore the bowl form as a sculptural vessel as well as an abstract object. There will be an emphasis on using double walled construction as a way to accentuate volume.
Beginning with small maquettes, students will experiment with shape and proportion, brainstorming directly with clay. This collection of rapidly developed three-dimensional sketches will become a resource for the rest of the workshop.
With a focused study of proportion, structure, and surface, students will learn to translate these solid objects into hollow forms. We will also make customized tools to facilitate this process.
Work will be glazed and gas-fired.
TUITION: USD $2200 inclusive of all studio materials, glazes and firings, catered lunches, welcome dinner, and excursions around the island. We will assist in making recommendations for bookings for nearby hotels, bungalows or home-stays in convenient proximity to Gaya studio (accommodation is not included in tuition).
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE - Sculptural Vessels & Hollow Forms
Working with stoneware clay, students will use a variety of handbuilding techniques to explore the bowl form as a sculptural vessel as well as an abstract object. There will be an emphasis on using double walled construction as a way to accentuate volume. Beginning with small maquettes, students will experiment with shape and proportion, brainstorming directly with clay. This collection of rapidly developed three-dimensional sketches will become a resource for the rest of the workshop. With a focused study of proportion, structure, and surface, students will learn to translate these solid objects into hollow forms. We will also make customized tools to facilitate this process. Work will be glazed and fired in a gas kiln. All levels welcome
Sunday, April 6th: Arrival & Welcome Dinner
6:00 pm We will begin the workshop by getting to know one another over a casual dinner. Jerilyn will offer a brief presentation, sharing insights into her artistic journey and the work that has influenced the development of this workshop.
Monday, April 7th: Orientation & Introduction to Double-Walled Bowls
Orientation to the Gaya Studio, followed by an introduction to the goals and focus of the workshop. We’ll discuss the significance of using the double-walled process, exploring the aesthetic and technical reasons for building these forms. Several examples will be shown, demonstrating different techniques for creating these distinctive pieces. We will talk about Maquettes as inspiration and how to translate them into finished pieces. Jerilyn will demonstrate the construction of a coil-built double-walled bowl from a maquette, focusing on the use of tighter curves. Students will begin working on their own maquettes or choose to replicate the demo.
--Lunch- 12.30--
Jerilyn will continue the demonstration, finishing the morning’s coil-built bowl and providing guidance on trimming and refining the form. Students will then work independently on their own pieces, with Jerilyn offering one-on-one guidance to each participant.
Tuesday, April 8th: Working with Straighter Curves & Slab Construction
Today’s focus is on pieces with straighter curves and angles. These will be built using slabs rather than coils. Jerilyn will demonstrate how to create hollow forms with slabs, including pieces that are hollow throughout or hollow in select areas. We will also explore the use of wet molds and begin crafting custom pounding tools and small ribs for refining the forms. Students will continue working on their pieces, applying the techniques demonstrated.
--Lunch- 12.30--
Jerilyn will continue the morning’s demonstration and provide further insights into the building process. Students will continue to develop their maquettes and small pieces. Jerilyn will work individually with each student to determine the best approach for translating their maquettes into hollow forms.
Wednesday, April 9th: Complicated Forms & Closing Techniques
The focus today is on more complex forms. Jerilyn will demonstrate how to address the challenges of closing hollow forms that have non-uniform shapes, offering tips and strategies for maintaining structural integrity. Students will continue to work on their pieces, refining their techniques.
--Lunch- 12.30--
Jerilyn will finish the piece from the morning. Students will continue to work on their individual pieces
Thursday, April 10th: Hollowing Solid Forms
We will explore the process of hollowing out a solid form. Jerilyn will demonstrate how to handle maquettes that are too thick to fire as is, and how to apply hollowing techniques to these forms. This method will also be useful for building complicated shapes.
--Lunch- 12.30--
This session will provide an opportunity for students to share their progress on their pieces. We will gather as a group to discuss and learn from one another’s work, providing feedback and inspiration. After, students will continue to work on their own pieces.
Friday, April 11th: Creating “Chambered” Forms
Today’s demonstration will focus on building a piece with slabs that incorporates two separate chambers. This technique is ideal for creating forms with repeating or echoing shapes. This should be the last day to begin any double walled pieces. Students continue on their pieces.
--Lunch- 12.30--
Jerilyn will finish the piece from the morning demo. Students will continue to work on their own pieces.
Saturday, April 12th: Finalizing Forms
Jerilyn will demonstrate how to patch a piece as things may crack in drying. Students will continue to work on their individual pieces.
--Lunch- 12.30--
Students will continue working on their pieces, with Jerilyn visiting each student individually to provide personalized guidance. All pieces should be nearing completion by the end of today and ready to begin drying.
Sunday, April 13th: Refining & Preparing for Firing
Today, we will focus on finishing and refining the pieces. Students will sand, smooth, and fine-tune the edges and lines, paying close attention to the details that will define the final piece. We will also ensure that each hollow form has a hole for moisture to escape during firing.
--Lunch- 12.30--
Bisque kiln will be loaded with students’ completed pieces, preparing them for the first firing. While kiln is being loaded, Jerilyn will demonstrate how to wash, wax, and apply glaze to pieces while introducing students to the various glaze options available in the studio. After this demo, students are welcome to share images of their work if they decide to bring them.
Monday, April 14th: Bisque Firing
Studio is closed while kiln is firing. Students have the day off
Tuesday, April 15th: Unloading the Bisque Kiln & Waxing
The bisque kiln will be unloaded, and students will be able to assess the results of the first firing. Students will begin waxing their pieces and preparing them for glazing.
--Lunch- 12.30--
Students will continue glazing their pieces.
Wednesday, April 16th: Final Glazing & Loading the Glaze Kiln
Students will finish glazing their pieces, applying their chosen glazes and preparing them for the next firing.
--Lunch- 12.30--
The glazed pieces will be loaded into the glaze kiln, where they will be fired to their final form. While the kiln is being loaded, students will take a tour of the Gaya Design Studio.
Thursday, April 17th: Field Trip
We will take a field trip to inspire and broaden our artistic perspectives. The details of the trip will be shared closer to the date.
Friday, April 18th: Unloading the Glaze Kiln & Final Reflections
We will open the glaze kiln to reveal the final results of our work. Jerilyn will guide a discussion about the outcomes, offering insights on what worked well and ideas for future pieces.
--Lunch- 12.30--
This final afternoon will be spent admiring and photographing the completed works. We will have a chance for closing sentiments and reflections on the workshop, before carefully packing up each student’s work for transport.
Saturday, April 19th: Departure
Studio is closed. Students will depart, taking home their finished pieces and the skills gained throughout the workshop.
**Details of schedule may be subject to change, but overall content will remain constant.