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Please join us for an examination of the history, meaning and making of Japanese Tea Bowls (Chawans). These classic shapes are the centerpiece of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Their shape and aesthetic has accompanied the evolution of Japanese ceramics for centuries and have later had a strong impact on many American potters.

This will be a three-part series:

Two free 30 minute (with time afterwards for questions) online lectures February 18 and February 22 at 12:30pm.

The in-person workshop will be at Mud Matters on March 9th from 12:30–4:30 pm.

The online lectures and workshop will be led by Nessim Cohen, a ceramist and art critic specializing in the history of Japanese ceramics, tea wares, and tea ceremony.

The first lecture, on Friday, February 18th, 12:30pm, will be about the origin of the tea bowl (chawan) and the Raku family, the first dynasty of ceramists dedicated to the making of chawans for the Japanese tea ceremony.

The second lecture, on Tuesday, February 22nd, 12:30pm, will be about Wabisabi, the philosophy and aesthetic movement behind the technique of making raku tea bowls. 

On March 9th, Nessim will be teaching the art of creating ceramic tea bowls. An accomplished ceramicist, he will demonstrate and describe several traditional approaches to hand building these classic forms before assisting the participants in making their own tea bowls. ($100/participants. $15/piece for us to bisque fire).

While one session will follow logically from the one or ones before, you need not sign up for all.

We invite you to join us and discover how to make your own teabowls.

Register for Workshop at Mud Matters to Create Chawans on March 9

Register for Online Lecture - February 18th at 12:30pm

Register for Online Lecture - February 22 at 12:30pm

Check out our upcoming course schedule.

Courses are 7 weeks long and meet once a week for 3 hours. For the beginner to the advanced, our classes are for all levels. Our faculty are accomplished ceramic artists who have a passion for sharing their knowledge and skills.

Students learn the basic techniques or continue to advance their skills in wheel throwing, hand building, trimming, and glazing. 

Check out our fall schedule.

Courses are 7 weeks, and meet once a week for 3 hours. For the beginner to the advanced, classes are for all levels. Students will learn or/and continue to advance their skills throwing, trimming, and glazing. Cost: $350, plus additional firing fees. Firing fees are invoiced on a monthly basis and are 5 cents per cubic inch per piece that you fire. 

We have received a lot of interest and inquiries about courses at the studio! Thank you! The June/July courses are now full.

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Courses are 7 weeks, and meet once a week for 3 hours. For the beginner to the advanced, classes are for all levels. Students will learn or/and continue to advance their skills throwing, trimming, and glazing. Cost: $350, plus additional firing fees. Firing fees are invoiced on a monthly basis and are 5 cents per cubic inch per piece that you fire. 

Wheel
Wednesdays: 10–1pm, June 2 to July 14
Fridays: 5:30–8:30pm, June 4 to July 16
Sundays: 5:30–8:30pm, June 6 to July 25 (no class on July 4)
Tuesdays: 6–9pm, June 8 to July 20

Hand Building
Sundays: 5:30–8:30pm, June 6 to July 25 (no class July 4)
Mondays: 6–9pm, June 7 to July 19

Click here to receive notification about courses in the next session »

This January we are pleased to begin offering socially distant 7-week Wheel Courses at La Mano.

Classes will be 3 hours long and will begin with demonstration and instruction and include ample time for practice. Class size will be 7 people at La Mano + 6 people at Mud Matters with wheels set 6 feet apart. Masks are required at all times. Beginner and intermediate potters are welcome. Pieces will be glazed on the last day of class to be ready for pick-up 1-2 weeks later. 

During the 7 week course, students may sign up for independent practice sessions @ $40/ 3-hour session 

Enrollment is $350 and includes clay and glazes. Firing Fees are additional ($0.05/cubic inch), tallied at the end of each month. Students must provide their own tools, aprons, and towels.

  • Sunday evenings 5–8PM (taught by Barbara Stone): Jan 3–Feb 14
  • Tuesday evenings 6–9PM (taught by Lynn Goodman): Jan 5–Feb 16
  • Wednesday mornings 10–1PM (taught by Marge Lurie): Jan 6–Feb 17

Register now »