Rock Glazing and Wild Clay Processing with Janeen Page and Sam Ireland - 4-Day Workshop

Join Janeen Page and Sam Ireland for a four-day workshop on wild clay processing and rock glazing which will begin with an informative field trip in Coromandel to explore what the area has to offer and will include the development of glaze samples, and processing of locally sourced wild clay.

"The industrialisation of both materials and products over the last century has taken us so far from source that we forget that the objects we cohabit with have a relationship with the land around us. However, potters have developed and maintained a relationship with their local environment for sourcing their materials."

The Taranaki landscape has been a rich source of glaze materials for Janeen Page. Working with one glaze for over 15 years gave her an understanding of her local geology, and constituents in glaze making. In 2020, further study into New Zealand rock glazes expanded her knowledge of the regional palette available to us throughout New Zealand.

Driving Creek Pottery Technician Sam Ireland has been processing local clay for Driving Creek for many years using Barry Brickell's purpose build historic machinery. Participants will be instructed on how to process clay in their normal home environment as well.

According to Barry Brickell of Coromandel “...a bottle of dry red wine, six inches of salami, two or three apples, several plastic sample bags, a notebook, a drinking beaker and a raincoat should suffice as essential equipment for a day in the field....”.

Please bring the following to the workshop: jars, a mug bisqued using high fired stoneware (to be glazed during the workshop in cone 10 firing), a respirator (if possible), pen and notebook, good walking shoes, sun protection, water, and picnic lunch.

This is a beginner to intermediate workshop.

Workshop schedule:

Day 1: Local field trip to dig clay and find and collect materials for the glazes. 

Day 2: Processing and testing glazes with the expert tuition of Janeen Page.

Day 3: Wild clay processing with Sam Ireland while the test tiles are being fired.

Day 4: Test results and analysing. The dried clay will be pugged, and bagged for participants to take home some.

We do not have any accommodation available on site but you will receive information about local accommodation options and accommodation deals for our students with your booking confirmation.