Slab Building with Templates: A One-Day Intensive

Details Take your handbuilding skills further in this five-hour intensive with ceramic artist Alexis Cline. Drawing on her background in fashion design and pattern-making, Alexis will teach students how to break down three-dimensional forms into individual components, create reusable templates using materials like Tyvek and roofing paper, and construct larger, more complex slab-built pieces. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, students will explore new approaches to form, proportion, and structural construction. Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas or sketches, but prepared templates will also be available to use or adapt. Prior handbuilding experience is required. Participants should be comfortable working with slabs and basic joining techniques. This is a 5 hour workshop meeting on: Saturday, January 23: 10am - 3pm Part I: Designing with Templates Alexis will demonstrate how to translate three-dimensional forms into two-dimensional patterns, covering: Breaking down complex forms into individual components Designing reusable templates using Tyvek, roofing paper, and other materials Adjusting templates to change scale, proportion, and shape Students will develop their own templates or adapt designs provided by the instructor. Part II: Building with Slabs Students will use their templates to cut and assemble slab-built forms, with demonstrations covering: Preparing and handling slabs for larger-scale construction Cutting, beveling, and joining slab components Creating curves, angles, and dimensional forms Supporting larger pieces and managing moisture during construction Troubleshooting structural challenges and preventing warping Throughout the workshop, Alexis will provide individualized guidance as students develop their forms. Participants will leave with reusable templates and new techniques they can apply to future projects. Location 1600 Altamont Ave, Richmond, VA 23230 About The Artist Alexis Cline is a Richmond-based ceramic artist and educator whose work draws on her background in fashion design, textiles, and illustration. She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 2019 with a degree in Fashion Design, and began exploring ceramics by applying her knowledge of clothing pattern-making to the construction of slab-built vessels. Her practice combines handbuilding and wheel throwing with an emphasis on thoughtful design, sculptural forms, and intricate surface decoration. In 2023, Alexis participated in SCAD's Alumni Atelier residency program in Lacoste, France, and began teaching handbuilding classes in 2025. Through her ceramic practice, Atelier Alexis, she creates one-of-a-kind functional pottery that brings together her interests in form, pattern, and illustration. Policies By enrolling in a class or workshop, you are acknowledging that you have read and understand the safety instructions and liability waiver. Cancellations made 4 or more days before the start of the class will be refunded. For cancellations made fewer than 4 full days, but more than 24 hours before the start time, a 50% refund or 50% credit toward another class or workshop will be issued. We cannot provide refunds or credits for cancellations or rescheduling requests made fewer than 24 hours before the start time of class, if you miss your class, or arrive too late to participate.