Maura Smyth Ceramic Workshops

Clay has wonderful tactile qualities and children and adults alike love the base with which it can be formed, changed and joined. Its malleability encourages a creative response.

My workshop provides an introduction to hand – building skills. I have found in my teaching that because the clay is usually held and work in the hand, it is a good way for the beginner to get “the feel of the clay”. The skills introduced include rolling, pinching, coiling, joining pieces of clay together to make 3-D structures, slabwork, texturing, glazing techniques and surface decoration. These processes provide an introduction to three dimensional work. The aim of the workshop is to structure a balance between introduction of the skills whilst encouraging the individual creative response within each students work.

For myself, there is still a seduction to the feel of the clay in my hands, and a fascination with the process. It is still exciting to watch ideas in my imagination take form in the clay and observe the firing process transform the colour and overall look of a piece of work.

To this day, I still become excited when the temperature in the kiln edges low enough for me to edge the door open and take a peek inside.

Clay challenges me to invent, explore and express myself through my ceramic work.

Through my workshops, I invite you to join me in this exciting and creative process.