Bill van Gilder Workshop
The Functional Pot: Tools & Techniques
With the rapidly unfolding COVID-19 outbreak, we are postponing the April 3-5 Workshop. We are currently working with Bill's assistants to figure out a reschedule date. Our expectation is for sometime this summer, but at this point the dates are difficult to predict.
Workshop is Sold Out

Workshop is Sold Out
​

Hosted at

​All events are held at
​ Fresh Thyme Market,  2410 N. Salisbury St. , West Lafayette, IN.

Description of Workshop

Every potter has a list of WHAT they want to make. HOW to make it, is often the question.
 
During this two-day, information-loaded, demo-workshop some 50+ making techniques will be demonstrated in answer to these ‘how-to’ questions; techniques participants will want to use and adjust to fit their own future work. Short cuts, tips and tool-use at the wheel will be shared through demo after demo.
 
Hand-building functional forms will be the focus during part of the demonstrations as requested, defining projects and techniques for hand-builders.
 
“Throughout 50+ yrs. of making functional pots, I’ve collected hundreds of making techniques used to make specific pots, both wheel-thrown and hand-built;”
 
Demonstrated techniques at the wheel will include;
 
- Efficient hand positions for throwing
- Simple tools and their use
- Lid arrangements and form
- Spout, rim and lip making and proportions
- Trimming and foot finishing possibilities
- Faceting and fluting as decoration
- Handles and lugs; pulled and hand built
- Making bottle forms; collaring techniques
- Making dinnerware; throwing and trimming
- Making squared and oval baking ware
- Wet, thick slip decoration
- And more…
 
A sampling of forms to be demonstrated;
 
 - Open and lidded casseroles
 - Pitcher and pouring pots
 - Cups and mugs
 - Bowl forms
 - Dinnerware
 - Bottle forms
 
Hand-building demonstrations may include;
 
- Slumped oval slab platter making
- Humped squared plate making
- Foot attachment possibilities; slab, sprigged & coiled
- Textured decoration; wet slip, pressed, and resisted textures
 
Participants are welcome to take photos, and are encouraged to bring a notebook.

Bill will provide his ^6 oxidation, ^8-9-10 gas, and salt/soda wood-firing slips & glaze recipe sheets to each participant.

Bill will also have a selection of his potter’s hand-tools (van Gilder Clay Tools) and a sampling of current work available for participant purchase.