One Big Pot - April

One Big Pot A Large-Scale Ceramic Planter Workshop with Natalia Ira Sookias Fridays, April 9, 16 & 23, 2027 11 AM–2 PM | Three Sessions Sooki Studio · Frogtown, Los Angeles Building large planters is one of my favorite ways to work with clay. They're both sculptural and functional, leaving lots of room for play. I like to think of the planter as a body and the plant as its hair. Over three Fridays, I'll share the methods I've developed through my own practice for building large ceramic forms quickly and efficiently, while keeping them strong, structurally sound, and surprisingly lightweight. We'll explore the relationship between form, scale, and structure, learning how to work intuitively with clay while understanding the technical considerations that make large-scale handbuilding possible. Each student will create one large ceramic planter, the entire size of our kiln, up to 20" wide by 25" tall, with up to 50 pounds of clay included. We'll work through the building process together, from establishing a strong foundation and developing height and volume to refining surfaces and preparing our pieces for drying and firing. This workshop is designed to give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to approach larger ceramic forms independently. Whether you're looking to expand your existing practice or challenge yourself with something new, we'll make plenty of room for experimentation, questions, and learning through process. What We'll Cover Session 1 — Foundations & Form Friday, April 9 · 11 AM–2 PM We'll begin by exploring the fundamentals of large-scale handbuilding, including planning proportions, preparing clay, establishing strong foundations, and building efficiently. We'll focus on developing structure and understanding how to support larger forms as they grow. Session 2 — Building Up and Out Friday, April 16 · 11 AM–2 PM We'll continue developing our planters, focusing on building height and volume while maintaining strength and managing weight. We'll explore reinforcement techniques, moisture management, and strategies for working efficiently with larger amounts of clay. Session 3 — Finishing & Refining Friday, April 23 · 11 AM–2 PM In our final session, we'll complete our forms, refine surfaces and rims, address structural details, and prepare our pieces for slow, controlled drying. What's Included Three 3-hour sessions (9 hours of instruction) 50 pounds of clay per student Dedicated storage between sessions Access to studio tools and equipment Guidance on large-scale construction, structural integrity, and drying techniques Firing of one large, unglazed ceramic planter Individual guidance and plenty of room for questions Additional clay will be available for purchase if needed. Optional Add-On: Glazing Your Big Pot — $225 Want to add color or a glazed surface to your planter? Join us for an additional three-hour glazing workshop where we'll explore glaze selection, application techniques, and considerations for glazing large ceramic forms. We'll help you choose glazes that complement your piece and provide glaze samples for you to test before purchasing your own materials. Students will then glaze their planters with guidance throughout the process. Glaze Materials & Estimated Cost Students are responsible for purchasing their own cone 5-compatible brush-on glazes. Depending on the size of their planter and whether they choose to glaze the interior, exterior, or both, students should anticipate needing approximately 2–4 pints of glaze, with larger or fully glazed pieces potentially requiring more. Brush-on glazes typically cost around $20–$30 per pint, bringing the estimated additional materials cost to $40–$120 per student. We'll help students determine the appropriate glaze type and quantity based on their finished piece, so there's no need to purchase glazes before the workshop. The $225 add-on includes the three-hour glazing workshop, bisque firing, and glaze firing. Cost: $225, plus glaze materials Duration: 3 hours Availability: Limited to 4 students Tentative Possible Workshop Dates: Saturday, June 5, 2027 · 11 AM–2 PM Friday, June 11, 2027 · 11 AM–2 PM Saturday, June 12, 2027 · 11 AM–2 PM The final date will be selected together with participating students during our last building session on April 23. Please ensure you are available for at least one of the proposed dates before registering. Large ceramic forms require extended drying and firing times. The glazing workshop will take place once all participating planters have been successfully bisque fired. Dates may be adjusted if additional drying or firing time is needed. Three Ways to Register We offer sliding-scale pricing to help make our workshops more accessible while supporting the continued operation of our studio. $545 — Community Rate For those who need a more accessible price point. $625 — Standard Rate Our standard workshop price. $695 — Sustaining Rate For those who can contribute a little more to support accessible programming at Sooki. All three tiers include the same workshop experience, materials, and firing. Payment plans are available. Limited to 10 students to ensure plenty of individual attention and space to work. Important Information Drying & Firing Large ceramic forms require slow, careful drying and firing. Because of their size, finished pieces will remain at the studio after the workshop while they dry thoroughly before firing. Drying and firing times will depend on the size and thickness of each piece, studio conditions, and kiln availability. We'll contact students when their planters are ready for pickup. As with all ceramic work, cracking, warping, and other changes can occur during drying and firing, particularly with larger forms. We'll discuss ways to minimize these risks throughout the workshop, but successful firing cannot be guaranteed. Experience Some previous experience working with clay is recommended, although not necessary. Students should feel comfortable working independently with basic handbuilding techniques. Instructor This workshop is led by Sooki Studio founder Natalia Ira Sookias, who has over a decade of teaching experience, from kindergarten through graduate-level students, across the U.S. and Europe. She has studied at CalArts, Central Saint Martins, Penland School of Craft and the Prince's School of Traditional Arts in London. Health, Safety + Accessibility To help keep our space safe and accessible, masks (N95 or KN95) are required for all workshops. Please bring your own; extras are available at the studio. Masks help protect against airborne illness as well as clay and glaze dust. Our studio is fully ADA accessible. The supply store and restroom are accessed by three steps, with a portable accessibility ramp available upon request. Please reach out ahead of your visit with any accessibility questions or requests so we can best accommodate your needs. Email: info@sooki.studio