2026 GCC Workshops
Summer Member Workshop!
June/July 2026
We’re planning on hosting a raised pit firing in the morning, with our member meeting taking place around noon.
Following the meeting we will dive into the workshop - which may go into Sunday!
Saturday
10am - fill the pit firing and get it started (firing will depend on fire hazard conditions and burning laws at the time. We will update closer to the event if it looks like we won't be able to do it. If not, we will reschedule for our October meeting.)
12 noon - Lunch and member meeting.
1 pm -4 pm- Workshop continues
Sunday
10 am - 4 pm
Workshop continues. Ending with emptying the pit fire!
Some of the workshop subjects will include:
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Mold Making for Sprigs and Repeated Forms
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3D Printing for Clay
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Cutting Stencils with a Cutting Machine
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Creating and Using Silk Screens
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Gelli Plates for Printing and Layering
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Making Tools That Work for You
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Templates: From Tyvek to Tar Paper
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Make Your Own Forms: For Slumping or Pressing!
Bring your bisque pieces for the pit firing.
We will supply some additives, foil for wrapping your pieces if you'd like, and basic instruction.
This is the first pit firing that some of us have done in a very long time... please be mindful that we aren't sure how well it will go and results from a firing like this are always a surprise.
Sunday: unload the pit firing!
LocationPaws and Pots Studio, Canton, GA
The Great Pottery Olympics!
August 2026
This will not be your average Greek Olympics on Pottery....
We will have individual and team events! Check back for specifics and get your practice in... competition will be fiercely funny!
Some events in the planning process...
Throwing
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For a minute, tallest, widest/tallest...
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Blindfolded
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One handed
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Two people one hand each
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Team Swap - 1 -2 minutes each person
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Limited tool throwing - pick random tool, weight of clay, random object
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The most thrown off the hump, timed
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Teapot relay - 3 members, component each
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Reverse direction throw
Handbuilding
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How tall can you build 1# clay?
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Tallest coil pot, Build the tallest or most structurally sound vessel using only coiling techniques.
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Rotational Challenge: Start a project, and when the timer rings, move to the next person's piece to continue the build, fostering collaborative creativity.
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Clay Pictionary: Sculpt items from random prompts within 30–60 seconds.
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Mask Making: Create masks inspired by a specific emotion or image.
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Head, shoulders, knees and toes: Teams are split into 3, and then separated. One person makes a head, the other a torso, and the final piece is a set of legs. Afterwards, the three pieces are combined to create a person/creature. No communication is allowed during creation.
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Crazy creatures! Teams of 4 and each person has to make head, torso, legs, feet - and then combine. For added challenge, they can’t communicate what creature they’re making.
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Pull the longest handle
Past Workshops for 2026
As a 2025 GCC scholarship recipient, Megan Baker is going to hold a hands-on Metal Clay Workshop to share some of the knowledge and skills she learned in her class at William Holland School of Lapidary Arts.
Working with metal clay is very similar to working with ceramic clay, just on a much smaller scale. Metal clay is made of finely ground metal mixed with an organic binders. During firing the binders burn off and leave behind the metal in its' pure form. We will be working with fine silver metal clay. After firing the metal will be 99.99% pure silver. This clay can be torch fired or fired in a kiln.
There are other types of metal clays including sterling silver, copper, and bronze. These require different firing schedules and processes to burn out the binders and complete the firing in the correct atmosphere. We will not be using those clays at this workshop.
All supplies will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring any tools you have that may work with metal clay. We will provide a list of possible items and tools that may be helpful.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!