ONE BIG POT

50 lbs of clay. Three weeks. One big pot.

Thursdays, November 5, 12 + 19 · 3–6 PM
Sooki Studio · Frogtown, Los Angeles
Limited to 10 people

Taught by Sooki Studio owner, Natalia Ira Sookias.

This is a three-week workshop dedicated entirely to building one large pot—up to approximately 20" wide × 23" tall.

Building large planters is one of my favorite ways to work with clay. They’re both sculptural and functional, with lots of room for play. I like to think of the planter as the body and the plant as the hair—each one shaping how you see the other.

Over the three weeks, I’ll share the methods I use to build large forms quickly and efficiently, with a particular focus on working economically with clay—building forms that are large, strong and robust without making them unnecessarily heavy. We’ll look at how thoughtful construction, reinforcement and internal support can give a large piece strength while keeping the walls relatively light and manageable.

The first two weeks will focus primarily on building. During the third week, we’ll finish our forms, refine surfaces and rims, reinforce anything that needs extra attention, and prepare the pots for a long, controlled dry.

Each student receives 50 lbs of clay. Part of the challenge—and the learning—is figuring out how to use that clay efficiently to build something large, strong and surprisingly light. Additional clay will be available to purchase if your particular form requires it.

We'll begin working at bench height and, as the pots get taller, move them onto individual dollies so they can be worked on, stored and moved safely without having to handle the pots themselves.

After the final class, your pot stays with us while it slowly dries. We'll continue checking and managing the drying process before firing.

Because of the scale of the work, each pot may take up essentially an entire kiln and will receive its own dedicated slow Cone 5 firing. Large pieces will be fired on a bed of silica sand to allow the clay to move as it shrinks during firing and help reduce stress on the piece to prevent cracking.

Standard pots will be fired through our regular studio firing schedule and will be ready for pickup by the end of January.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

9 hours of instruction over three weeks
50 lbs of clay
Large-scale building platform + individual mobile workstation
All studio tools and equipment
Storage throughout the workshop
Post-class drying and monitoring
One dedicated Cone 5 firing
Your finished large ceramic planter

The workshop is limited to 10 people so there is plenty of time for individual guidance. Building at this scale brings up different structural and technical questions for every piece, and we want to be able to work closely with each person as their pot develops.

All experience levels are welcome. Some previous experience working with clay is recommended.

PRICING

Community — $545
Standard — $625
Sustaining — $695

Optional add-ons
Holiday Priority Firing — +$150 · 4 spots
Glazing Workshop + Firing — +$225 · limited availability

Choose the rate that works best for you. Standard reflects the intended cost of running the workshop, while Sustaining registrations help us continue to offer a lower Community rate.

+ HOLIDAY FIRING — $150

If you'd like your pot before the holidays, we're offering 4 priority firing spots with anticipated pickup by December 20.

Each of these pots requires its own dedicated kiln firing during one of our busiest firing periods, so the number of holiday spots is genuinely limited.

If Holiday Firing sells out, you can join the waitlist and we'll offer any available firing spots in order as they open up. 

Most importantly, we won't rush a pot into the kiln before it's completely dry. If your piece isn't ready to safely fire in time for the December 20 deadline, we'll refund your $150 Holiday Firing fee and move your piece into our regular firing schedule.

+ GLAZING WORKSHOP & FIRING — $225

If you'd like to glaze your pot, you can add an additional three-hour glazing class.

Students taking the glazing option will make glaze test tiles during the first One Big Pot class. We'll fire the tests so you can see how your chosen glaze works with the clay body—and compare application thickness—before committing it to your finished pot.

During the additional class, we'll cover brush-on glaze application at a large scale, including coverage, thickness, application techniques and how to approach glazing such a large surface. There will also be plenty of individual guidance as everyone works.

The glazing add-on includes:

3 additional hours of instruction
Glaze test tiles + test firing
Additional studio storage
Individual guidance with glaze application
One additional dedicated bisque firing before the final Cone 5 glaze firing

Students provide their own Cone 5 brush-on glaze. For a large pot, plan on approximately 3–4 one-pint jars for exterior glazing, depending on your finished size, glaze choice, number of coats and how much of the pot you choose to glaze.

We'll use our test tiles to look at different numbers of coats before you glaze your finished piece, so you can make an informed decision about application and how much glaze you'll actually need.

You can add the glazing option when you register or decide during the first class. After the first class, registration for the glazing option will close so we have enough time to make and fire everyone's tests.

Because glazed pieces require additional drying, a bisque firing, the glazing class and their own dedicated glaze firing, glazed pots will be ready for pickup by the end of February.

Instructor

This workshop is led by Sooki Studio founder Natalia Ira Sookias. She has over a decade of teaching experience—from kindergarten to graduate students—across the U.S. and Europe. Her work has shown in the US, Europe and across the SWANA region. Natalia studied at CalArts, Central Saint Martins, Penland School of Craft and the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London.

Health, Safety + Accessibility

Masks (N95 or KN95) are required for all workshops. Please bring your own—extras are available at the studio. Masks help protect against airborne illness as well as clay and glaze dust.

Our property is ADA accessible, with a ramp available upon request for our restroom and supply store.