Sculpting Your Dreams (Aug 5-9)

Through play-based exercises, guided sculpture techniques, and personal storytelling, students will learn to create with intention, let go of perfection, and discover new avenues of artistic expression. Caroline will share how working with clay helped her heal from a traumatic brain injury and how the creative process can bring balance, joy, and inspiration into our lives.

Students will sculpt a clay bust, an animal figure, and their own hands, integrating narrative elements to make their work deeply personal and meaningful. Demonstrations will include animals, facial features, surface textures, and finishing techniques using underglazes, etc.  and glazes.

This workshop is designed to be joyful, experimental, and deeply personal. Whether you're new to clay or an experienced artist, Sculpting Your Dreams will inspire you to create from a place of authenticity and empowerment.

Daily Schedule

Day 1: Awakening Creativity & Handbuilding Basics

Morning Session:

• Introduction to Caroline's artistic journey and the healing power of clay

• Creativity exercises

• Demonstration: Anatomy of the face – building structure, proportion, and expression

• Hands-on project: Creating a bust (head and shoulders) inspired by personal themes- Handbuilding fundamentals – pinch, coil, and slab techniques

Afternoon Session:

• Hands-on project: Sculpting our hand with a small personal talisman or amulet

• Discussion: Overcoming the inner critic and embracing play

• Sharing insights and group reflection 

Day 2: More Sculpting 

Morning Session:

• Demonstration: Sculpting animal figures – gesture, proportion, and energy

• Hands-on project: Creating an animal sculpture that resonates with personal mythology

Afternoon Session:

• Refining details: Eyes, nose, mouth, and ears

• Surface textures: Carving, smoothing, and adding symbolic elements

• Group discussion: What personal symbols contribute to storytelling?

Day 3: Exploring Animal Totems & Symbolism

Morning Session:

• Demonstration: Creativity exercises and play to explore images

• Hands-on project: Writing down different ways to find your personal folk tale  

Afternoon Session:

• Demonstration: Collaging to find your imagery

• Hands-on project: Creating a self-portrait doll from magazines to inspire clay projects

• Sharing insights and group reflection

• Layering personal meaning into the work

• Sharing stories behind the creations

Day 4: Sculpting Hands – A Personal Gesture

Morning Session:

• Demonstration: Using underglazes and glazes for expression

• Hands-on project: Unload the kiln and prepare to glaze

Afternoon Session:

• Refining details and integrating personal motifs Exploring finishing techniques:  Underglazes, slips, and textures

• Group reflection and discussion on artistic breakthroughs

Day 5: Surface Treatment & Final Touches

Morning Session:

• Demonstration: Unloading the kiln and using cold finishes if necessary and putting pieces together

• Hands-on project: Applying finishing touches to all sculptures

Afternoon Session:

• Group critique: Sharing work in a supportive, non-judgmental environment

• Celebration and reflection on creative growth

• Final thoughts on sustaining a personal art practice

Student Supply List

• Sketchbook & writing utensils

• Magazines, markers, glue sticks

• Personal pottery tools (or you can buy a set of basic clay tools on Amazon)

• Optional: Favorite textures, stamps, or small found objects to press into clay

Kit Fee:

• $20 (to be paid to the instructor by cash or check at time of class)

• Includes clay and glaze material supplied by the instructor

Class Size:

• Min # of students:   6

• Max # of students: 18