2024 Summer Workshops

Medalta’s Intensive Adult Workshops are an opportunity to strengthen your practice and develop a knowledge base around a specific area within ceramics. These workshops are led by established experts in their chosen field and offer an immersive hands-on experience within a collaborative studio environment.

We offer a range of opportunities to appeal to a wide-variety of interests. Our Adult Workshops pursue contemporary interventions in ceramics, new technologies, and methods with mentors who are invested in their areas of research. 

Why Choose Our Adult Workshops?

  • Expert guidance from experienced mentors 
  • Explore and learn advanced contemporary techniques 
  • 24-hour studio access for the duration of the workshop
  • Immersive experience in the Historic Clay District

"Slab Building Buildings" with Carly Slade

$600 + GST (Lodging not included)

Carly Slade leads a 5-day workshop where participants, at intermediate to advanced levels, craft miniature scale models of their chosen buildings. The intensive program explores Carly's slab building techniques, texture application, and 3D image scaling, requiring attendees to bring images of their selected buildings for hands-on construction.. 

Carly Slade's Workshop Details

“Nerikomi Intensive” with Eiko Maeda

$650 + GST (Lodging not included)

Eiko Maeda guides participants in a 5-day workshop exploring nerikomi handbuilding techniques. Starting with basic patterns and clay handling, attendees progress to slab building, utilizing plaster molds to shape patterned sheets into objects with increasing depth. The workshop covers bisque firing, finishing techniques, and encourages participants to design their own patterns for creative exploration and unique artistic directions.

Eiko Maeda Workshop Details

"Salt, Soda, and Surface Decoration" with Lael Chmelyk

$1295 + GST (Lodging not included)

In this nine-day workshop, Lael Chmelyk guides participants through the atmospheric firing process, with a focus on salt and soda techniques. Emphasizing collaboration with the kiln, students learn surface decoration, including slip layering, inlays, resists, glazing, printing, and textural elements. Prior clay experience is required, and this mid-range (cone ^6) Salt + Soda Workshop welcomes all skill levels in atmospheric kiln firing.

Lael Chmelyk's Workshop Details

"Learning from the Land: Making Indigenous Vessels” with KC Adams

$550 + GST (Lodging not Included)

In this 5-day workshop, KC Adams leads a transformative journey into Indigenous pottery, focusing on cultural and spiritual aspects. Participants learn clay basics, vessel construction, firing, and cooking, promoting well-being through Indigenous knowledge systems. No prior clay experience is required.

KC Adams Workshop Details

The Friends of Medalta Society is a not-for-profit charitable organization. Programs are supported by private and corporate donations and municipal, provincial and federal grants. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada and Government of Alberta.