Building Composite Ceramic Forms

Instructor: Ellen Massee

Dates: Saturdays, February 28, March 7, 14 & 21, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Ages: 18+

Members: $270

Non-Members: $300

(Registration deadline: February 24)

Description:

Explore the concepts and techniques used to join hand-built ceramic components into unique composite forms. Students will play with ideas starting with loose sketches and learn pinch and coil techniques to create "building blocks" in multiple shapes and sizes. These components will be joined together using hand-made scoring tools and a "magic slip." Composition, proportion and expression will be explored throughout the process. The workshop will include a bisque and glaze firing. 

Open Studio Time:

Upon approval from the instructor, workshop participants will be granted access to the lab throughout the duration of the workshop. Aside from scheduled workshop hours, the lab is available for independent use Tuesday – Sunday from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Materials:

Provided by participants:

• A Clay Starter Tool Kit: a basic set of tools for working with clay available at most art supply stores and online:

Clay Tool Kit from Jerry's Artarama

Clay Tool Kit from Amazon

Clay Tool Kit from Michaels 

• Paper and pencil for sketching

Instructor Bio:

Ellen holds a BA from Barnard College in French Language and Art History and has attended Studio Art classes at The Art Student’s League, Parson’s School of Design, and The School of Visual Arts in New York. She had a 10-year career in film and television, working as a Set Decorator, Art Director and Production Designer which eventually brought her to Los Angeles. After the birth of her first child, Ellen created “Entertaining Elephants”, a children’s clothing line and lifestyle boutique dedicated to the values of creativity, sustainability and multiculturalism, which she ran for 18 years. Since returning to the East Coast in 2018, Ellen has channeled her creative energies into ceramics, taking numerous classes and workshops, and working out of her own studio.

All workshops are held at the Five Points Arts Center, 855 University Drive

Workshops may be cancelled due to low enrollment if a minimum number of participants are not met. Registrants will be notified in advance and a refund or credit will be arranged (see workshop polices below for details).

Workshop Policies: Please review the terms of our workshop policies here