Pottery Retreat 2026

Clay & Kiln — a weekend of throwing, glazing, and slowing down.

A small, hands-on pottery retreat for beginners and returning makers who want clay under their nails. No screens, no rush, no experience needed.

When
October 17–18, 2026
Where
Hollow Creek Studio, Vermont
Reserve a spot

Weekend plan

Saturday — Throwing

  • 09:00

    Arrival and barn coffee

  • 09:30

    Welcome and studio tour

    Nora Vance

  • 10:00

    Centering clay on the wheel

    Tomas Reyes

  • 11:00

    Pulling your first cylinder

    Nora Vance

  • 12:30

    Lunch (farm table)

  • 14:00

    Workshop: trimming and footing

    Devi Ranganath

  • 16:30

    Open wheel time (your own pace)

  • 19:00

    Shared supper by the kiln

Sunday — Glazing

  • 09:30

    Reading glaze chemistry, simply

    Devi Ranganath

  • 10:30

    Dipping, brushing, and wax resist

    Tomas Reyes

  • 12:30

    Lunch + meadow walk

  • 14:00

    Loading the kiln together

    Everyone

  • 16:00

    Hands and clay (rest of the afternoon)

Follow-up — By mail

  • Week 2

    Firing and final photos

    Nora Vance

  • Week 3

    Pieces packed and shipped

  • Week 4

    Care-and-keeping notes by email

Your instructors

  • Nora Vance

    Studio potter, 20 years at the wheel

  • Tomas Reyes

    Production thrower, Hollow Creek

  • Devi Ranganath

    Glaze chemist and ceramicist

  • Marit Solberg

    Sculptor and teaching artist

  • Cole Hartman

    Kiln tech, formerly Brick & Ash

  • June Okafor

    Resident maker

The studio

Held at **Hollow Creek Studio**, 1140 Pine Hollow Road, in rural Vermont. About 25 minutes from Montpelier by car, with parking on site. The barn studio is ground-level and step-free, with aprons, tools, and a warm wash-up area provided. Directions, a packing list, and a few nearby inns will be sent with your booking confirmation.

Good to know

Do I need any experience?

None at all — most guests have never touched a wheel. Returning makers are welcome too and can work at their own level.

Are materials included?

Yes. Clay, glazes, tools, aprons, and firing are all covered. Just bring clothes you don't mind getting muddy.

What's the refund policy?

Full refund up to 21 days before the weekend. After that we'll happily transfer your spot to a friend.

How do I get my finished pieces?

We fire everything after the weekend and ship your glazed pieces to you, carefully packed, within about three weeks.

Two days. 12 spots. Booking closes when the studio is full.

$385 early-bird until September 15. $440 thereafter.

Book your spot

Includes all sessions, two farm lunches, the kiln-side supper, materials, firing, and shipping.