Organic Forms — 4-Day Hand building. Yasha Butler 18 - 21 May
Workshop Overview
This four-day hand building workshop focuses on building organic ceramic vessels using coil construction, with an emphasis on form, balance, and personal voice.
Through guided demonstrations and supported making time, students will explore how form develops gradually, how moisture and timing affect what is possible, and how subtle adjustments can transform a piece. The workshop encourages a thoughtful, process-led approach to handbuilding, balancing restraint with complexity and intuition.
The workshop is studio-based and structured around making one primary vessel that evolves over the course of the four days.
About the Instructor
Yasha Butler is a ceramic sculptor currently based between County Wicklow, Ireland, and Istanbul, Türkiye. Her work has been exhibited widely across the United States and Europe and is held in private collections internationally.
She has been a resident artist at the Museum of Arts and Design (New York) and Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, and a visiting artist at Harvard Ceramics. Butler has lived and worked across the globe, maintaining studios in the United States, Spain, Ireland, and Türkiye.
She holds a degree in Design and Environmental Analysis from Cornell University and completed a Post-Baccalaureate year at Rhode Island School of Design. Before becoming an artist, she worked as an interior designer.
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop is suitable for students with some prior hand building experience who are interested in developing form, structure, and surface through coil-built work.
Participants should be comfortable working independently with clay and interested in refining their understanding of three-dimensional form.
This workshop is not suitable for complete beginners.
Course Content
Day 1 – Creating a Base
Introduction to Yasha’s work, process, and tools, followed by discussion around intention and personal voice. Demonstration of creating a base and beginning a vessel using coils, with focus on clay stages and moisture. Students begin their own work.
Day 2 – Building the Form
Continuation of the coil-building process, focusing on adjusting and evolving form. Discussion of balance, proportion, and evaluating work from all viewpoints.
Day 3 – The Carving Phase
Demonstration of carving techniques to refine form. Students carve their own pieces with guidance. Discussion of finishing processes, including patina and sanding fired work.
Day 4 – Fine Tuning
Refining forms and resolving details, including finishing vessel lips and edges. Closing group discussion reflecting on learning outcomes.
Shipping of Finished Work
The workshop fee includes shipping for one standard box per participant, in line with the studio’s workshop policy.
One box up to 60 × 40 × 40 cm
At the end of the workshop, students will select their final pieces. These will then be glazed, fired, carefully packed, and prepared for shipment.
All selected work must fit within the included box size.
Shipping is limited to one box per participant.
What’s Included
Clay for use during the workshop
All tuition and demonstrations
Use of studio tools and equipment
Glazing and firing of selected final pieces
Shipping of finished work included (one standard box)
Lunch and accommodation are not included.
Price
€1,300
4-day workshop. Includes VAT, materials, firing, and shipping (one standard box).
Cancellation Policy
Due to the limited number of places available and the advance costs involved, full payment is required to secure a place on the workshop.
Cancellations made 21 days or more before the workshop start date will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made within 21 days of the workshop start date are non-refundable.
In cases of illness or unforeseen circumstances, a credit toward a future workshop may be offered, subject to availability.
No refunds are given for no-shows or partial attendance.
We strongly recommend participants ensure they are able to attend all workshop dates before booking.
Workshop Overview
This four-day hand building workshop focuses on building organic ceramic vessels using coil construction, with an emphasis on form, balance, and personal voice.
Through guided demonstrations and supported making time, students will explore how form develops gradually, how moisture and timing affect what is possible, and how subtle adjustments can transform a piece. The workshop encourages a thoughtful, process-led approach to handbuilding, balancing restraint with complexity and intuition.
The workshop is studio-based and structured around making one primary vessel that evolves over the course of the four days.
About the Instructor
Yasha Butler is a ceramic sculptor currently based between County Wicklow, Ireland, and Istanbul, Türkiye. Her work has been exhibited widely across the United States and Europe and is held in private collections internationally.
She has been a resident artist at the Museum of Arts and Design (New York) and Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, and a visiting artist at Harvard Ceramics. Butler has lived and worked across the globe, maintaining studios in the United States, Spain, Ireland, and Türkiye.
She holds a degree in Design and Environmental Analysis from Cornell University and completed a Post-Baccalaureate year at Rhode Island School of Design. Before becoming an artist, she worked as an interior designer.
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop is suitable for students with some prior hand building experience who are interested in developing form, structure, and surface through coil-built work.
Participants should be comfortable working independently with clay and interested in refining their understanding of three-dimensional form.
This workshop is not suitable for complete beginners.
Course Content
Day 1 – Creating a Base
Introduction to Yasha’s work, process, and tools, followed by discussion around intention and personal voice. Demonstration of creating a base and beginning a vessel using coils, with focus on clay stages and moisture. Students begin their own work.
Day 2 – Building the Form
Continuation of the coil-building process, focusing on adjusting and evolving form. Discussion of balance, proportion, and evaluating work from all viewpoints.
Day 3 – The Carving Phase
Demonstration of carving techniques to refine form. Students carve their own pieces with guidance. Discussion of finishing processes, including patina and sanding fired work.
Day 4 – Fine Tuning
Refining forms and resolving details, including finishing vessel lips and edges. Closing group discussion reflecting on learning outcomes.
Shipping of Finished Work
The workshop fee includes shipping for one standard box per participant, in line with the studio’s workshop policy.
One box up to 60 × 40 × 40 cm
At the end of the workshop, students will select their final pieces. These will then be glazed, fired, carefully packed, and prepared for shipment.
All selected work must fit within the included box size.
Shipping is limited to one box per participant.
What’s Included
Clay for use during the workshop
All tuition and demonstrations
Use of studio tools and equipment
Glazing and firing of selected final pieces
Shipping of finished work included (one standard box)
Lunch and accommodation are not included.
Price
€1,300
4-day workshop. Includes VAT, materials, firing, and shipping (one standard box).
Cancellation Policy
Due to the limited number of places available and the advance costs involved, full payment is required to secure a place on the workshop.
Cancellations made 21 days or more before the workshop start date will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made within 21 days of the workshop start date are non-refundable.
In cases of illness or unforeseen circumstances, a credit toward a future workshop may be offered, subject to availability.
No refunds are given for no-shows or partial attendance.
We strongly recommend participants ensure they are able to attend all workshop dates before booking.