ClayWorx Studios

Two Day Workshop, basic wheel skills are required. 

Clay is a miraculously versatile material with the ability to contrast many textures within the same piece. In this hands-on workshop, students will use heated clay stretching techniques to expose the beautiful texture hidden beneath clay’s smooth outer façade.

Multiple techniques for different textures for both wheel throwing and hand building will be demonstrated and then attempted by attendees.

Upon completion, students will have knowledge of:

• unique Chinese wheel throwing techniques applicable to all pots
• slab techniques that do not require a slab roller
• various methods for creating both spontaneous and planned patterns in clay
• different methods for heating clay prior to stretching
• a wide variety of miscellaneous techniques as a result of in-class discussions

Eric Serritella is recognized internationally as one of the top ceramic trompe l’oeil artists in the world. He specializes in hand-carved sculptures transforming clay into birch, charred and weathered logs. His one-of-a-kind pieces are known for their hyper-realism, and have been shown, awarded and collected on five continents for their exquisite organic design and incredibly lifelike textures. Works have been contributed to nearly 160 exhibitions with over two dozen pieces in museum collections including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Mint Museum.

Eric was honored by the James Renwick Alliance as the 2016 Distinguished Artist in Ceramics at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. His 2018 solo show at Jason Jacques Gallery was recommended in the NY Times and he has received positive acclaim by Architectural Digest and renowned art critic/historian Daniella Ohad. Serritella is also an accomplished potter, having studied with production potters in the USA and with four masters in Taiwan. Throughout all his workshops, Eric emphasizes visual elements, ways of seeing as an artist, and anecdotally shares his experiences making, marketing and selling wheel-thrown and hand-built works in clay. He is a fun, engaging and mindful presenter who is sure to help bring new techniques, ideas and life to your creations.