Clay in Practice

Clay holds the imprint of our hands—a tangible record of touch, intention, and transformation. Learn to shape, build, and express with confidence as you discover the language of ceramics.

At Drawing Room, we believe working with clay begins with touch, observation, and an understanding of form. Ceramics are everywhere in our daily lives—both functional objects and art that can last thousands of years. This medium is magical, combining utility with the potential for pure creative expression.

Throughout this intensive, you'll not only develop technical skills but also learn how to shape with intention and explore the possibilities of clay. By the end, you'll have crafted personal work, built technical confidence, and gained a deeper appreciation for ceramics.

An 8-week journey shared with a group of people, with thoughtful conversation, a group project, and a celebratory dinner.

Each session of this intensive builds on the last…they flow together to form a cohesive experience. Open to all levels, beginners and beyond.

Now enrolling for the Fall I Season - “Rhythms & Cycles”

Clay in Practice

with Ayaka Takao
at Drawing Room Williamsburg

Session 1: Wed, Aug 27 from 6:30-9:30pm (includes drinks & snacks!)

“Design in Clay”

Introduction to techniques, material properties, and design thinking. Hands-on projects begin with pinch pots and coil work.

Session 2: Wed, Sept 3 from 6:30-9:30pm

“Coils & Connections”

Constructing larger forms, exploring function, ergonomics, and design.

Session 3: Wed, Sept 10 from 6:30-9:30p

“Surface & Form”

Refining forms, introducing slab techniques, and surface design applications.

Session 4: Wed, Sept 17 from 6:30-9:30pm

“Putting It All Together”

Integrating learned techniques, developing surface design skills, and preparing for bisque firing.

Session 5: Wed, Sept 24 from 6:30-9:30pm

“Finishing Touches”

Continue working on your projects, exploring more surface design and textural techniques as we prepare our pieces for bisque firings.

Session 6: Wed, Oct 1 from 6:30-9:30pm

“The Art and Science of Glaze”

Exploring glaze chemistry, application methods, and the unpredictability of the firing process.

Session 7: Wed, Oct 8 from 6:30-9:30pm

“Glazing Continued”

Continue working on glazing your piece(s) and learn more glazing tips & tricks!

Session 8: Wed, Oct 15 from 6:30-9:30pm (includes drinks and snacks!)

“Show & Tell Party”

We’ll unveil everyone’s finished pieces, reflect on the creative journey, and celebrate with bites and treats—think charcuterie—served from handmade vessels.

ALSO INCLUDED FOR ALL JOURNEY MEMBERS:

Journey Group Projects!

Group projects are collaborative gatherings where all Journey members are invited to participate in building something together! Two group projects are held throughout each season, usually a collaborative ceramics group project (Williamsburg) and board game group project (Midtown).

$720

A $1,337 value

A statement from this season’s instructor, Ayaka:

“I hope to bring clay, sketchbook, writing, and philosophy into conversation as living parts of a creative ecosystem. I’d love to invite you to reflect, play, and build a relationship to the medium, sculpting earth while staying open to where the process wants to lead.”

Included in this Intensive:

All tools (basic and advanced) provided

We provide everything you need for each session.

  • A personal essential tool kit is included for each student, and you’ll receive yours on the first day of the intensive (to keep) and use throughout the journey and beyond.

  • Get access to and learn to use more advanced tools, like a slab roller, glazes, and more to create next-level projects

  • Complimentary loose-leaf tea is also included in every session.

Personal materials to use at your own pace

At the first session, you’ll receive:

  • A 25 lb. bag of white stoneware to use at your own pace

  • 10 prepaid firing slips for various sizes

You’ll learn about and learn to control the entire lifecycle of your ceramic pieces, from start to finish (something you don’t get with one-off claydates).

Exclusive storage options

Having storage access is absolutely essential for bigger, more complicated, or intricate projects! Continue to work on pieces over the course of multiple sessions and during any Open Hours. You’ll have access to dedicated shelf space for intensive students to store your pieces between sessions, and learn how to manage moisture levels so they are workable long term.

Our Creative Flow Membership is included for the duration of the Intensive. Freely pop by with your digital membership card and enjoy the space (and Clay Library) during any Open Hours to continue working on your projects, meet up with your group, cowork, and more.

Drawing Room Membership

Exclusive Groups & Activities

The sessions in this intensive are not open to the public. You can expect to see the same group each session and share a one-of-a-kind experience with them!

Each session builds on the last, so we highly recommend attending each and every one!

Drawing Room Instructors

The artists teaching in this Intensive are also involved in other programming at Drawing Room! If you really love their teaching style or creative practice, you’ll be able to stay in touch!

Our team of ceramics instructors

Instructors at Drawing Room are all practicing artists who are passionate about sharing their craft and building community. They have distinct ways of teaching, and we think there’s always something to learn from their distinct styles and practices!

Aubrey Aiese

Aubrey teaches workshops, intensives, and leads our ceramics department at Drawing Room! She makes pots with playfully illustrated faces and feelings.

Ivy Weinglass

Ivy teaches ceramics workshops and intensives. She’s inspired by the natural world around her—check out her work!

Ayaka Takao

Ayaka teaches ceramics workshops. She works in ceramics, painting, and written word.

FAQs

  • Yes, of course!

    If you are already a member with a payment method on file, please use the same exact email we have on file for your membership.

    Since the Creative Flow Membership is included for all Journey participants, you’ll be prorated for any days not covered by the journey, and these days will be added back at the end of the journey. This means you will not be charged again until you’ve used all the days you’ve paid for last, before signing up for a journey. (Don’t worry, we do the math for you).

    Please reach out to our team at info@nycdrawingroom.com with any questions, or for help enrolling

  • If you aren’t able to make one of the dates, we will be able to share the lesson plan for the day with you and encourage you to complete the assignment so that you will be prepared for the discussions in the subsequent session.

    Unlike the Cohort Program, each session builds on the last, so it’s important to try to make each one! There are currently no make-up days available due to the nature of our programming availability.

  • Yes! We offer interest-free payment plans via Klarna. Simply select that option on the payment page.

  • Intensive workshops are not open to the public and are exclusive to your group.

    You can expect to see the familiar faces of your Intensive members in each of these classes, and you'll get first dibs and get to sign up for any future journeys at Drawing Room.

  • All enrollments are final. Please double check your calendar.

    However, if you find you are unable to join us for the program for whatever reason after booking, you can let us know at least 7 days before the first session to get credits for a future program date. The credits cannot be individually transferred to events, they must be used in one go for the same program at a future date.

  • Absolutely!

    There’s so much to learn each time you participate in an Intensive, and they’re open level, so you are encouraged to work with the instructors to push yourself.

    Plus, each Intensive is a new opportunity to make new friends and share an experience with a tight knit group of people!

    If after an Intensive (or two) you find you’re ready to explore other mediums or want to dive deep into another medium, you can explore our other journeys – you’ll get first dibs!

  • We’d recommend you take them one at a time! Each of our journeys are designed to be a comprehensive experience. While participating in multiple (Cohort Program AND an Intensive, for example) is not impossible, you may find yourself at Drawing Room a LOT!! Which, we’d love, but may be intense!

    For context, through the Cohort Program you can expect to be at Drawing Room and average of 1-2 times per week, and the Intensive is an average of once per week.

  • All levels are welcome and will find these sessions applicable! Whether you’re:

    • Super new to clay or have never even touched it

    • Just starting out, have maybe taken one Claydate or similar workshops elsewhere

    • More experienced and already have a practice

    Intensives are designed to both be a great entry point but also offer a repeatable structure that emphasizes community and growth in skills among fellow creatives who love the medium. See you here soon!