Celebrate the richness of the season and the joy of making in this workshop by Deb Schwartzkopf. Abundance: Serving the Harvest invites participants to combine handbuilding and wheelthrowing to explore the intersection of form, function, and personal expression.

Techniques taught

Through demonstrations and shared studio time, we’ll explore a blend of wheelthrowing and handbuilding techniques. First, participants will work with altering thrown cylinders, shaping slabs using coiling molds, building with templates, and forming with intention. Furthermore, we’ll gather seasonal inspiration, sketch our ideas, and create small three-dimensional clay studies to develop forms. Moreover, surface design will be an integral part of the process, which we explore alongside form and function.

Teaching method

In addition to hands-on making, Deb Schwartzkopf will hold image presentations and lead group discussions. These together ignite your creative thinking and support your artistic development. Topics will range from techniques and surface ideas to building a studio practice, engaging with community, and marketing artwork. The workshop focuses on experimentation and skill expansion. Deb will encourage you to stretch your practice by taking risks and diving into new approaches — with Italy’s autumn harvest as your muse. Expect to return home with fresh ideas, new techniques, and a deeper connection to your work. Some experience in wheelthrowing is necessary. You will get the most out of this workshop if you can throw a 5–7” /15-20 cm cylinder.

Logistics

Students arrive on Sunday, September 19, and departure will be on Saturday, October 2, 2027.
On all working days two coffee breaks and a freshly prepared lunch are provided by La Meridiana. At booking, you may select your preferred room type, choosing between: standard lodging, single or shared room;  upgraded accommodation; private apartment. Please note that depending on the availability, certain types at times may not be offered.
The work made during the course will is fired before departure. We can assist with arranging shipment through a professional shipping company.

The artist

Deb Schwartzkopf is a Seattle-based artist, educator, and community builder with more than 20 years of experience. She earned her MFA from Penn State University and participated in artist residencies in Montana, Germany and China. She has taught extensively across the U.S. and abroad. Deb founded Rat City Studios in 2013 and Rain City Clay in 2022 — both grounded in her mission to “build community through clay.” Her work is widely published and nationally collected, and in 2019, she was named Ceramic Artist of the Year by Ceramics Monthly. Her book, Creative Pottery, was published in 2020.
To see more of Deb’s work, visit debspottery.com or follow her on Instagram at @debspottery.