Expired Pinch Pottery: Creating a Figurine

2 Week Class with Wil James
Presented with Whatcom Community College
Saturdays, January 21 & 28, 2023
11:00am–4:00pm

Students will create their own idol/talisman using the traditional clay method of pinch potting and pit firing. The class will begin with a conversation around the Paleolithic “Venus” figures while using clay to reflect and create an object that would represent today’s talismans. Students will learn the history on how early humans transitioned from idolizing animals to the idolization of humans through examples of paleolithic art. Students will then learn the process of pinching clay to create sculpture forms around 3-6 inches in height while using traditional terra sigillata and burnishing methods to add depth and decorations to their talisman. The final class will focus on firing these objects and presenting an interpretation for their talisman.