Handbuilding Ceramics with Hilary Helfant

Clay is a material rich in history and possibilities for art making, and handbuilding pottery is the oldest use of the medium. In this class, you will develop foundational handbuilding techniques, including pinch pots, coil, and slab methods. Once you have experienced a few basic techniques, you can make your own functional tableware, vessels, tiles, and sculptures. All materials are included in the ticket price as well as two pounds of clay and the firing of your first project. 

Teacher’s Bio 

Hilary began her interest in clay at a young age, although their formal studies are in art history, printmaking and painting. They studied painting in New York City first at the School of Visual Arts, and then graduate studies at Hunter College. In 1995, after living and exhibiting in NYC for 12 years, they moved out to eastern Long Island and have lived here ever since. In addition to maintaining their studio work, they worked as an art teacher in grades K – 8. It was teaching children that brought them back to working with clay. Her work started out small and now she is looking into ways of creating larger outdoor pieces.