Instructor: Ryder Gordon
Monday - Friday
August 17 - 21
9am - 1pm
Open Studio: Mon - Thurs, 1pm - 4pm
5 sessions
Learn the ancient technique on creating larger forms: coil throwing! Each of us can only handle a certain amount of clay at once based on our strength and skill-level. The coil throwing method allows the potter to break free of these limitations – we will strengthen our pots with heat, then continue to build by adding and throwing coils! We will practice our skills with this technique on smaller forms early in the week, then shift gears to larger pots. Ryder will challenge students to scale up their throwing with this versatile technique, pushing beyond what they thought they could achieve. All levels of throwers are welcome (some throwing experience suggested). We cannot guarantee these works will be fired by the end of the week (in case of thick/wet pieces), but we will do our best to fire in a timely manner.
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Ryder grew up in the Boston area, where he was introduced to the potter’s wheel at a young age. He graduated with a degree in art education and ceramics from UMass Dartmouth. He has studied wood, gas, and soda firing with Chris Gustin and Chris Smith, as well as raku with Stephen Branfman. Ryder has instructed and assisted at The Potter’s Shop and School in Needham, Peter’s Valley School of Craft in Layton, NJ, and Castle Hill Center for the Arts in Truro. Ryder’s work is defined by pushing the limits of what can be accomplished both on and off the potter’s wheel. He creates functional pottery with shapes that bulge, grow, and swirl as well as more decorative coil-built vessels. Ryder uses glaze and atmospheric firing to highlight his complex forms, creating dynamic surfaces.