Description
Led by Sarah Watlington
Sunday, April 13th, 10am-4pm
This workshop is a fun and empowering blending of crafts: utilizing woodworking techniques to create useful tools for working with clay. Participants will gain hands-on experience in how to cut, shape and carve wood, glue, sand and finish. Students will be given project examples that they may replicate. They are also encouraged to bring their own designs for custom ceramics tools they wish to execute.
Sarah will teach students how to safely operate a bandsaw, jig saw, electric sander and drill press. Participants will also learn how to use hand saws as well as shaping and carving tools. Sanding and finishing techniques will end the class and students can expect to leave with multiple custom wooden tools.
No experience is necessary. This workshop will be suited to those who work with ceramics and would like to make their own handcrafted tools, for those with a loved one they would like to make a special gift for and more. Participants can choose what tools they wish to make during the class and will leave with as many as they are able to safely execute during the session.
This workshop will take place at Sooki Studio in Frogtown, 2971 Allesandro Street, Los Angeles, 90039.
Instructor
Sarah Watlington is an artist and educator whose work blends complex and primitive technologies to create genre-defying sculptures for use and non-use. They attended the Krenov School of Fine woodworking in Ft. Bragg, CA, 2018, and hold a BFA from the Design Institute of San Diego, 2010. Sarah teaches woodworking at San Diego State University as well as shorter intensives locally and nationally. She works out of her studio in Los Angeles, CA.
Health, Safety & Accessibility
Community care and inclusivity lay at the core of Sooki. We believe that creativity requires vulnerability and over the last four years we have worked to foster a feeling of safety within the studio. This intention is reflected in our policies, studio setup, and collective efforts.
We are fortunate to have an indoor/outdoor space that offers a safe haven, particularly for our immunocompromised community members who are at higher risk for Covid, flu, RSV, colds, and other infections.
To ensure a safer space for everyone, we now require masks for all programming and are providing N95 and KN95 masks. Masks also protect us from clay & glaze dust that can become harmful with longterm inhalation. We ask that everyone work with us, so that we can collectively create a feeling of safety, community and connection.
We are adjusting to the tragic new reality within our city, post-LA wild fires, and are evaluating how best to adapt our space as both a resource and to improve air quality within the studio. We are working on installing commercial grade air filters and would love to hear from those who are most affected and may need other any other accommodations.
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, ideas or concerns to info@sooki.studio. We’re always happy to hear from our community and are constantly working to improve.
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—please confirm with the studio when doing so.