Tools for Grounding: Large Scale Handbuilding with Natalia Ira Sookias - September

Description

Taught by Natalia Ira Sookias

2 Tuesdays in September from 6-8pm

Dates: September 2 + 9 

All experience levels welcome

2971 Allesandro St, Los Angeles, Frogtown 90039

Our hands are our receptors to feel through this world. They signal to our minds and hearts how to interact with the landscapes that surround us. When connecting and attuning to our sensorial touch, the information that we gather through our finger tips can be one of our greatest sources of insight.

In this workshop, we will focus on tuning the relationship between our hands, hearts, minds and material. We will strengthen our ability to listen, and feel through clay. We will develop our capability to hear what the material is telling us and allow it to lead us, rather than imposing our own expectations onto it.

Participants will learn fundamental techniques to large scale handbuilding including creating large round and rectangular coils, slab building and glazing. With these techniques participants can essentially build anything, functional, abstract and everything in-between. 

Participants are welcome to build as many pieces as they’d like throughout the duration of the workshop and will receive clay to take home with them in order to practice and develop work outside of the studio.

All pieces will be fired to cone 5 and will be ready for pick up within 3 weeks of the commencement of the workshop. All pieces that are glazed will be microwave and dishwasher safe. All experience levels welcome from beginners to those with more experience looking to expand their technique and approach to working with clay.

Students will have access to open studio time from Thursday-Monday from 11am-8pm throughout the duration of the course to develop pieces outside of class time. Students receive a 10% discount at Sooki Supply from the start to end date of the class.

Instructor  

This workshop is taught by Sooki Studio founder, Natalia Ira Sookias. Natalia has been teaching over the last decade from the kindergarten level ranging to university graduate students in the US, Europe and the Middle East. She studied at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Central St. Martin's and the Prince's School for Traditional Arts in London.  

Health, Safety & Accessibility

To ensure a safe space for everyone, we require masks for all programming.

We ask that participants provide their own N95 or KN95 masks, we also have some masks available at the studio. Masks protect us from airborne infection, along with clay & glaze dust that can become harmful with longterm inhalation. We ask that everyone work with us, so that we can collectively create a safe environment for all.

Our property is ADA accessible. The bathroom has 3 steps and a ramp can be fitted upon request. On-site parking is available when needed along with other accommodations. Please reach out with any questions or requests to info@sooki.studio. 

Sliding Scale Pricing

Sliding scale pricing is a tool for social equity, designed to make ceramics education accessible and affordable.

When signing up for a workshop, please choose the pricing tier that feels right for your current finances. This is a trust-based system, and only you know what’s comfortable and possible for you.

The high end of the scale reflects the true cost of the workshop. If you’re able to pay this, it helps subsidize others and makes our offerings more affordable.

There are limited spaces per tier to ensure balance and coverage of workshop costs. If a tier is sold out, it means all spots have been filled. An interest-free payment plan is available, allowing you to split the cost over time.

We strive to make our workshops accessible and continually improve our pricing system. If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out!

Cancellation Policy

Workshops are non-refundable. If you can't attend, you may transfer your spot to someone else, we ask that you please confirm with the studio when doing so.