Crafting Narratives with Lindsay Montgomery
January 9, 2026
Reveal/Conceal: From Wheel to Sculptural Forms with Rob Froese
January 9, 2026
Workshop Description
In this 5-day workshop Jai will lead the participants through building a standing animal-headed, human figure of approximately 2 feet tall. Using the slab-building technique, participants will learn how to transform slabs into simple cylinders and then standing legs, torso, arms and an animal head, creating a full figure standing on its own two feet. This technique is best for people who have at least intermediate experience with clay.
We will be going over the logistics of building tall, using armature, when its best to build in sections or make pieces removable from the sculpture for firing and transportation. We will discuss the gesture and position of the body, to achieve figures which invokes a feeling of movement and expression. Jai will demonstrate how to sculpt the figure as a nude body, then add some clothing elements once the form is built.
Special attention will be given to the anatomy of the human and animal forms, as well as details such as human hands, the animals face, as well as textures such as fur, hair and wrinkles in the skin.
Participants are welcome to build smaller if they work slowly. The technique Jai is teaching can be used for life-sized figures or smaller pieces. At the end of this workshop all participants will have a finished greenware figure of approximately 2 feet tall, which will come apart in 2 sections.
It is not expected that participants will fire these works at Medalta, only to learn how to use this technique. Participants are welcome to take their greenware figures home if they can transport them.
Participant Required Materials:
- Printed reference photos for the human figure: (printed or drawn), of the front, back and left and right sides of the figure.
- Printed reference photos of animal head from front and sides
- Armature: Each participant will need a 6-8” long x ½” thick threaded steel rod with matching base to secure to wooden board. Two boards are needed per participant, one board with a hole in the center of the board so the rod and base can fit through it. The 2nd board has the pipe and base secured to it. (This can come in different forms, this is just how Jai has built them in the past.)
- Measuring tape
- Basic clay sculpting tools, such as: needle tool, feting knife, wooden sculpting tools
- Extra tools that Jai uses a lot: toothed ribs of various sizes, rubber ribs, paddles of various sizes
Instructor
Jai Sallay-Carrington
Workshop Dates
Monday, August 3 - Friday, August 7, 2026 (5 days)
Registration Cost
$665 +GST
Registration Deadline
Friday, July 3, 2026
4-Lodging
$348 +GST
*limited spots*
Registration opens January 20, 2026 @ 10:00 AM MST
Photo Gallery
About Jai-Sallay-Carrington
Biography
Jai Sallay-Carrington (they/them) is a Canadian sculptural ceramic artist from Vancouver BC. After receiving their BFA from Concordia University in 2014, they spent many years traveling around Canada, USA and Europe attending artist residencies, installing solo and group exhibitions as well as teaching workshops.
Jai has been awarded grants from Canada Council of the Arts, SODEC, CALQ and Baltimore Clayworks. They earned their master’s degree at the University of Washington in 2023, receiving the De Cillia Graduating with Excellence Award. Jai just completed a year-long artist residency at Baltimore Clayworks as the Lormina Salter Fellow.
Artist Statement
Jai Sallay-Carrington is a figurative ceramic sculptor creating works about human identities, behaviour and emotions using anthropomorphic creatures. Reflecting on their queer and transgender identity, Jai creates sculptures which uplift 2SLGBTQIA+ communities as well as challenge and analyze the dominant heteronormative and cisgendered society.
They question the role that gender, sexuality and desire have in forming an individual’s character and placement within their culture. Jai’s sculptures speak to a feeling of otherness, not through visible physical traits, but through the hidden aspects of identity. These identities exist within, they are either shared or kept a secret. The zoomorphic qualities of their sculptures shed light on those human characteristics hidden from the naked eye.
As each animal comes with its own unique qualities, as well as the myths and stories associated with them, when anthropomorphized, their addition to the human form creates a deeper understanding of that individual’s persona and experiences. Jai’s sculptures work to normalize and celebrate those 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals who do not fit into those strict societal norms.
