Service Description

Our Host: Larissa Warren Larissa is a Queensland registered Art & Media teacher with over 20 years of experience in developing and writing art programs, covering primary to tertiary years. With a variety of experience and skills in hand building, wheel throwing, slip casting and experimental techniques Larissa designs each workshop to cater the needs of its students. Her visit to Bundaberg includes a workshop for demonstration and mentoring with individualised advice on the use of clays, stains, techniques and tools. About The Course: This workshop is perfect for those with some previous experience of working with clay, although it is open to beginners too. Nerikomi ceramics are distinct patterned pieces created through the combination of coloured clays. We will be making our own coloured clay by mixing stains directly into porcelain clay. Students will learn how to use stains to create their own coloured clays, and use traditional nerikomi pattern designs. During this workshop Larissa will focus on showing students how to use coloured clay and slabs to make forms. The way the clays are stacked and joined will result in various patterns. Mix two or more colours of clay as part of a piece’s design, and you are creating Nerikomi. There are many techniques – stacking, stretching, slicing – but with nerikomi, the decoration is built and fired into the work’s very fabric, rather than glazing it later.  This workshop is a wonderful opportunity for Bundaberg potters at all levels, including beginners, to have lots of fun and enjoy creating and working with clay and colour. It is open to adults (18+)  and is a fun activity to share with friends or on your own as part of our studio community for the day. Finished pieces will be fired, ready for pickup in approximately 3-4 weeks. These might be, for example, trinket dishes, jewellery, bowls or hanging ornaments. Refreshments, one of Larissa’s pieces and up to 5 items you have made to take home are included. We look forward to seeing you all there!