NOVEMBER 1-14, 2020, HAPPINESS IS A WARM EXTRUDER: "Extruding and Slab-building Functional Forms" with Hayne Bayless

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com

Schedule forthcoming

OCTOBER 11-24, 2020, FINDING YOUR VOICE: Volumetric Image Transfer and Architectural Tile with Forrest Lesch Middleton

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com

Schedule forthcoming

AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 12, 2020, WHITE GOLD TO WEAR: the design and making of porcelain jewelry with Luca Tripaldi

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com

Schedule forthcoming

AUGUST 9-22, 2020, PORCELAIN SCULPTURES: Inspired by Nature with Zemer Pelled

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com

Schedule forthcoming

JUNE 28 - JULY 11, 2020, STORIES OUR HANDS TELL: narrative sculpture with Fleur Schell

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com

Schedule forthcoming

JUNE 7-20, 2020, FROM FIRE TO TABLE: Sculptural Serving Vessels with Jeff Shapiro

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com

Schedule forthcoming

MAY 3-16, 2020, HAND-BUILT/HEARTFELT: Creating Our Personal Saints in Clay with Kelly Garrett Rathbone

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com

Schedule forthcoming

MARCH 29 - APRIL 11, 2020, HARNESSING THE ELEMENTS: earth, water, air, fire, aether with Anna-Marie Wallace

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com

Schedule forthcoming

MARCH 8-21, 2020, FREEDOM MY MOST REFINED TECHNIQUE: Hand Building Sculptural Forms with Alberto Bustos

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com

 “Freedom, my most refined technique”
with Alberto Bustos
March 8-21

“Self-taught as I am, I never dreamt that my passion and admiration for Ceramics would turn into my way of life, would give meaning to my life.
It may well be that my inborn attraction to Nature pushed me down to the ground so as to be fused with earth, our true essence.
Through “natuRareza” I submerge myself into the vegetal Psyche in order to find out those tortured feelings, product of the deterioration of the environment that we humans habitually cause.
My only wish is that my modeling goes in deeply into human sensitivity to revert the harm we are inflicting on ourselves”

The main objective of the workshop is to model the clay directly with our hands, without tools. In this way we will be able to communicate directly with the clay and transmit our feelings. With the technique of "launch" we will make textured plates. Also square filaments, flat and rectangular. Creation of stone textures using pigmented cookies. Application of coloring pigments and glaze, powder and liquid, on the wet clay to do only one firing. We will also carry out experimental works using cardboard, sponges and siliconized paper. We will discover how all these techniques can not only be applied to sculptures. We can also adapt them to the functional ceramic style. In this course I want to tell stories of hope with our pieces, from the most absolute freedom and improvisation, without obsessing with technique.














Sunday, March 8:  Welcome Dinner MOKSA
Get to know each other over a colorful and delicious plant-based meal at Gaya’s neighbor restaurant and permaculture garden, Moksa. Over delightful desserts, Alberto will offer a brief presentation about himself and his work.

Monday, March 9:  
Orientation to the Gaya studio. Introduction to the topics and purpose of the workshop, including powerpoint presentation.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Alberto will construct a complete piece to explain step by step the following techniques: Demonstration of making slabs by “launch” technique, using no roller or any machinery. Application of colored stains and powder (dry) glaze with brush and hand strainer on wet clay. Explanation of the square filament modeling technique with the “launch” technique on wooden bat. Application with toothbrush of colored stains and glaze mixed with water on wet clay. Explanation of craquelure textures in clay powder with glaze.

Tuesday, March 10
Short presentation of images of different pieces made with the techniques covered on Monday. Explanation of various decorative applications of colored stains with powder glaze for sculptural or functional pieces.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine

Group begins to make their own pieces.





Wednesday, March 11: 
Explanation of the elaboration of two types of textured plates with manual; pressure by means of “launch” technique, after application of colored stains with glaze powder. Alberto will demonstrate making another unique piece.
 Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Group works on their own pieces.

Thursday, March 12: 
Explanation of the stony-rocky texture technique. Use of different materials for its preparation, such as sugar cubes and cookies. Explanation of making flat filaments with the “launch” technique on a wood bat. Short presentation of images of pieces made with these techniques. Alberto will build a piece using the preceding techniques.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Work time for the group.

Friday, March 13: 
Explanation and demonstration of different uses of “kanthal” wire as a support for sculptures. Group work time for the remainder of the day.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine



Saturday, March14: 
Demonstration of “launch” technique rectangular filaments for various sculptural uses. Building cylindrical or quadrangular pieces with internal roller or squared wood and applying colored stains with glaze and water with a toothbrush and also in dry form on wood. With the same technique, making textured flat filaments and using them for different sculptural or functional constructions.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Group makes pieces using techniques demonstrated.

Sunday, March 15: 
(Free Day )

Monday, March 16: 
Experimental construction of pieces using sponges. Working with sponges of different shapes, saturating them with porcelain slip and powdered glass of varying ratios. Adding to the sponges different colors of glass [???], dry glaze and clay, to make “craquelure” as well as color stains. Also optional is using some of the “kanthal” wire as armature. The group will work simultaneously with Alberto.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Load a small bisque kiln in the afternoon.
Tuesday, March 17: 
Experimental demonstration of sculptural construction with cardboard as a base. Applying different layers of slip mixed with paper and glaze on cardboard until getting enough thickness so that the piece has consistency. To this piece will be added color stains with glaze as demonstrated on other forms during the workshop. Also, mixing dry clay powder mixed with glaze to create “craquelure” textures. The group will work simultaneously with Alberto. Bisque kiln is firing.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine

Wednesday, March 18:
Experimental explanation of  “silicone paper” technique. Its impermeability allows the introduction of different types of slip, color stains, glass, cookies, etc to generate texture. Used as a transfer, this can decorate functional pieces and also be used as sculpture. 
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Unload the kiln of bisque pieces, load the next kiln to begin firing (drying period) in the afternoon.

Thursday, March 19: 
EXCURSION. A day of exploration, inspiration, and relaxation away from the studio…

Friday, March 20: 
Unload the kiln, discuss first impressions, etc.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Saturday, March 21: 
Admire works, photograph, closing sentiments, packing works to bring home….
Farewell Lunch: family style together in GCAC mezzanine
Departure by 2pm

3-16 NOVEMBER 2019 Colorful Soda Clay Bodies with Carolanne Currier

For more information email us at: gayacac@gayaceramic.com


Colorful Soda Clay Bodies: an exploration of materials
with Carolanne Currier
3-16 November, 2019

Clay is everything!  Well, maybe not everything, but a clay body that is responsive to soda is extremely important for getting colorful surfaces. Come join Carolanne Currier in beautiful Bali for a 2-week workshop, where you will make and fire clay bodies in Gaya's soda kiln. The emphasis will be on investigating how varying the basic clay materials can produce different results.

Our two-week exploration of soda-firing bodies will begin with a baseline firing in Gaya's soda kiln.  Workshop participants are asked to bring 6 to 10 bisqued test clay body pieces such as simple cylinders, cups, and small vases for loading into the kiln. Everyone will load the kiln, learning how to place the pots for maximum exposure to flame and soda, and an explanation of the firing regimen will be provided. We will all prepare and add a solid soda mixture into the kiln at Cone 8. After the firing, an examination of the pots should provide us with an idea of what clays/materials have promise for producing flashing and various surface effects.  We will use that information to mix new clay bodies using materials at Gaya. A second and even third firing of test pieces with newly formulated clays will hopefully provide additional information. While the kilns are cooling, suitable forms for this type of soda firing will be discussed and demoed.  Participants will leave having a good understanding of the basic components of clay bodies and will have a good basis for continuing to research materials suitable for soda firing. 



Sunday, 3 Nov. -        Welcome Dinner                               Moksa Restaurant
A relaxed evening in which participants can get to know one another and share their stories and intentions for being here. 
Dessert will be served with a slideshow given by Carolanne, presenting her works, her story, her journey in fire and clay, followed by a review of the workshop schedule and a general fanning of the fires of enthusiasm! 



Monday, 4 Nov. -       Loading Strategies                             GCAC
A welcome and introduction to GCAC studio, and then immediately jumping into action!  Participants glaze lining of pots for immediate loading.
Demonstration: Soda kiln loading strategies.

Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine

Load soda kiln (with bisqued work brought by participants). Loading is done in shifts.
Open studio time: Carolanne will demonstrate the basics of the Japanese hand-building technique of kurinuki and students can experiment with the technique. Participants will also have time to begin their own projects.
(FIRING #1: LOAD, candling overnight)



Tuesday, 5 Nov. -       Initiation to Fire                                GCAC
Inaugural firing.  Following a preheat from the night prior, participants will engage in firing according to pre-determined shifts.  Everyone will be present and involved in the actually introduction of soda into the kiln (late afternoon or early evening).

Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine

Open studio time, participants will continue to work with kurinuki pieces or forms of choice
while the kiln is firing.  Carolanne will assist participants as they dig into their own making. (MAKING FOR 1st BISQUE)
(SODA FIRING #1: all day—begin 1am)


Wednesday, 6 Nov. - Importance of the Body                     GCAC
Morning: participants will begin preparing Clay body tests—(using a variety of available materials, each person will formulate a body and mix up a small batch for testing in the second firing). A recipe outline and guidance will be provided to assure the bodies will be suitable.

Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine

Open studio, free time can be used in making small pieces out of test bodies.
(FINISH MAKING/TRIMMING/SLIPPING FOR 1st BISQUE—BISQUE KILN LOADED by 5pm)
(Kiln #1 cooling)




Thursday, 7 Nov. -    A Preliminary Taste & Reload                      GCAC
Unload soda kiln: paying careful attention to variation in clay bodies, placement in the kiln, slips and glaze, the entire firing will be dissected and discussed in full.

Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine

Open studio time, participants can start mixing additional clay bodies, using the information gathered from the first firing.

(UNLOAD BALI CAT; Prepare kiln for immediate next firing)
(FIRING 1st BISQUE—begin 6am)



Friday, 8 Nov. -                     FIRING #2 / Informed Making                                GCAC
Morning Demonstration/Discussion: technical aspects of soda firing (clay body, design of form, firing technique) taking into consideration all the aspects of soda firing that are influenced by the making, and the information just gleaned from the first unloading, participants may consider new forms, textures, etc.
Making pots with new test clays. Appropriate forms and textures will be discussed. Carolanne will demo a textured slab-built bowl.

Afternoon: a careful and more informed second loading-- participation from everyone in shifts

Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
           
(UNLOAD 1st BISQUE 8am)
(SODA FIRING #2: LOADING )


Saturday, 9 Nov.-                  Firing & Finishing                                        GCAC
Following a preheat from the night prior, participants will engage in firing according to pre-determined shifts.  Everyone will be present and involved in the actually introduction of soda into the kiln (late afternoon or early evening).

Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine

Open studio time: FINAL FINISHING OF WORKS FOR 2nd BISQUE
(SODA FIRE #2: FIRING all day – beginning 1-3am)
(2nd BISQUE KILN LOADED by 5pm—small fiber kiln)


Sunday, 10 Nov.-       FREE DAY                            anywhere Bali

(BISQUE-firing Sunday midnight- Monday noon)



Monday, 11 Nov.- Second Discoveries & Final Finishing                        GCAC
Unloading second firing and discussing in detail the results and discoveries that have been revealed from first to second firing. 
Open studio: last touches on all works by the end of the day (trimming, texturing, slipping, decorating).

Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine

 (UNLOAD Firing #2; BISQUE kiln finishing)



Tuesday, 12 Nov. -     Third Loading: New Bodies                          GCAC
Demonstrations/Discussions: Carolanne will share ideas behind kiln design

Participants will be divided in to small groups and will load in shifts so that all may have a chance at the hands-on process.
Tours of the GAYA production studio will be scheduled in groups so that everyone has a chance to both load and tour.

Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
 (Bisque unloaded 8am; FIRING #3: LOAD, candling overnight)


Wednesday, 13 Nov.-            FIRING #3                                         GCAC
Firing will likewise be conducted in shifts—varying the shift each person took for the first firing.  All will be present again for the introduction of soda into the kiln (late afternoon-early evening). Depending on the results from the first firing, water may be introduced by spritzing into the burner ports to encourage additional reduction effects.

Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine

 (SODA FIRING all day—beginning 1am)


Thursday, 14 Nov.-   A Day of Cooling                               Tirtha Empul

EXCURSION: Fire to Water-- a visit and bathe in one of Bali’s famous water temples.
(Departure from hotel--early afternoon return to Ubud) Departure time TBD

Lunch: together in a rice-terrace overlook restaurant

**temple clothes (sarong, selendan, shirt) to bathe in required, as well as change of clothing and towel (all will be discussed prior)
(SODA Kiln cooling)


Friday, 15 Nov. -       A Third Revelation                            GCAC
Unloading the third firing and discussing in detail the results and discoveries that have been revealed from first through third firings.  Participants will collate and share all test clay body results.  Any post-firing clean up of works will be demonstrated and conducted.

Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine

Slide talk:  (Carolanne sharing about something soda)


Saturday, 16 Nov.-    Exhibiting Our Treasures                  In-Studio Gallery
Final group discussion of the entire two-week experience.  Time to admire one another’s creations, take photographs, and pack (packing materials will be provided).

Lunch: family style together in GCAC mezzanine

Farewell.  (Departure by 2pm)