Workshops
Upcoming workshop topics and dates are listed below. AMOCA’s workshops are for adults ages 18 and over (students 16+ may attend when accompanied by a paying adult).
If you have a suggestion for a workshop, or are interested in teaching, we’re always happy to hear from you. Email us at studio@amoca.org to start the conversation!
Artist Workshop Series
Quarterly-ish workshops focused on artists and their signature techniques and approaches.
March 14, 2026 • Character Building and Underglaze Techniques w/Kristy Moreno • 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Sat • $150
Watch the artist demonstrate character-building approaches using slab and coil construction, with additional focus on carving and relief techniques. The workshop concludes with a brief guided underglaze tile activity so participants can try the techniques hands-on; the hands-on portion of the workshop will focus on illustration and painting techniques using underglaze.
This workshop is appropriate for students of all levels. Most materials, and light refreshments, will be provided.
Materials provided:
- 1 bisque tile per participant (8″x8″)
- Assorted underglazes
- Plastic paint palettes
- Painters tape
- Light snacks
Participants should bring:
- Assorted paint brushes
Light snacks/refreshments (not lunch) provided; attendees may also bring their own food and drink.
April 10, 11, & 12, 2026 • Monumental Abstraction w/Bianca MacPherson • 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Fri , Sat, & Sun • $375
In this hands-on workshop, led by AMOCA Artist in Residence Bianca MacPherson, students will explore the intersection of personal reference, conceptual thinking, and large-scale handbuilding in clay. Using their own ideas, experiences, and visual references as a foundation, participants will investigate abstraction as a personal code or visual language.
Through guided exercises and one-on-one mentorship, students will learn strategies for developing concepts and translating them into physical forms. Emphasis will be placed on exploring scale, surface, and structural approaches to building large, expressive works. By the end of the workshop, students will have cultivated both a deeper understanding of their own visual language and practical techniques for constructing monumental handbuilt pieces.
This workshop is appropriate for intermediate and advanced students; students should be comfortable and have prior experience with basic clay construction methods such as pinch, coil, and slab building. Familiarity with working independently in a studio setting and a willingness to experiment conceptually are strongly encouraged.
One bag of clay per person is included in the class price; additional bags may be purchased at the studio for $22 per bag, as needed.
Participants should bring:
- Mudtools Red rubber rib any size (+any additional rubber ribs)
- Serrated Rib
- Wooden Dowel Tool
- Any helpful Loop tool
- Sketchbooks + Pens
- Any visual reference or object / Personal relic / historical
- Any ceramic tools of their preference that would aid in sculpting
Day 1: Friday, April 10 – Concept & Initial Build: Laying the Foundation
This first day, we’ll discuss abstraction as a type of visual language; Bianca will share her own approach to mirroring forms and drawing from archives. We’ll have time to think and brainstorm, and then we’ll begin sculpting our initial forms.
Day 2: Saturday, April 11 – Building & Structural Strategies: Expanding and Stabilizing
On Saturday, we’ll continue building our forms, exploring internal scaffolding, modular stacking, and sectional construction. There will be opportunities for troubleshooting, and we’ll set aside time for refinement and reflection as well.
Day 3: Sunday, April 12 – Surface & Finishing Approaches – Bringing Work to Life
This last class day will offer an overview of surface techniques; we’ll learn underglaze spraying and painting, texture, markings, and underglaze transferring. We’ll make our final build adjustments, smoothing, texturing, and enhancing our forms.
May 11, 2024 • Form and Finish Demonstration w/Dan Falby
Dan Falby demonstrated his dynamic technique for creating abstract sculptures: by tossing and dropping meticulously prepared clay slabs, Falby invites gravity to shape his work.
October 7 & 8, 2023 • Modular Making w/Natalia Arbelaez
Natalia Arbelaez demonstrated her approach to modular methods of building sculpture; students applied these techniques to their own projects.
September 8, 9, & 10, 2023 • Experimental Shino w/Tom Coleman
Tom Coleman shared techniques he uses in experimental shino firings and the tricks he’s discovered along the way.
April 7, 2023 • Demonstration with MoonDoBang & Adam Field
Moon Byung Sik (MoonDoBang) and Adam Field demonstrated their methods for throwing a variety of wheel-thrown forms.
January 14-15, 2023 • Mette Maya: Abstractions in Clay
Danish artist Mette Maya visited the AMOCA studios for a two-day workshop on surface exploration and alternative building techniques.
November 19-20, 2022 • Christina Erives: Surface and Approach
Breaking Ground: Women in California Clay artist Chrisina Erives came to the AMOCA studios to offer a two-day workshop on surface and approach.
June 19, 2022 • Demonstration with Shiyuan Xu (Chicago / Hangzhou, China)
Xu came to AMOCA for a one-day workshop following a weeklong residency at Idyllwild Arts Academy. Presented in partnership with the Hot Clay program at Idyllwild Arts.
March 26-27, 2022 • Peter Callas: Expressionistic Forms (New Jersey)
The launch of the Artist Workshop Series featured a special masterclass by artist Peter Callas, internationally renowned for his skill and mastery of wood-firing with the Anagama kiln.
Skill Building Workshop Series
A one-day and weekend workshops focused on specific skills and techniques.
January 30, 2026 • Introductory Hand Building: Garden Gnomes w/Kat Hopkins • 5:30-7:30 PM Fri • $75
This class has been postponed — we’ll announce a new date here soon. Stay tuned! If you’d like to be notified when the new date is announced, email communications@amoca.org.
In this evening introductory class, you’ll learn the basics of hand building, using air dry clay. You’ll craft your own whimsical garden gnome, perfect for your patio, desk, or bookshelf. Class time will be focused on learning hand-building techniques and crafting our gnomes. At the end of class, you’ll take home your finished clay gnome, along with a kit and instructions for decorating on your own once the clay is dry.
June 14, 15, & 21, 2025 • Skill Building Workshop: Soda Firing w/Nathan Stanfield • 9 AM-5 PM Sat & Sun, 10 AM – 2 PM 6/21 • $300
Students joined Nathan Stanfield in the AMOCA studio for a 3-day, hands-on workshop on the topic of soda firing. Participants learned all aspects of the process of soda firing and had the opportunity to fire their own work in AMOCA’s outdoor kiln.
March 8 & 9, 2025 • Skill Building Workshop: Narrative Portraits w/Michelle Solorzano • 9 AM-5 PM Sat & Sun • $250
Students joined Michelle Solorzano for an immersive 2-day workshop to 3⁄4 life-sized busts of a person of their choice. Participants explored ways to convey narrative through techniques like repetition, exaggeration, emphasis, and abstraction.
February 22, 23, and March 1, 2025 • Skill Building Workshop: Soda Firing w/Haley Tessler • ~9 AM-5 PM Sat & Sun • $300
Students joined Haley Tessler in the AMOCA studio for a 3-day, hands-on workshop on the topic of soda firing. Participants learned all aspects of the process of soda firing, about Haley’s work, and had the opportunity to fire their own work in AMOCA’s outdoor kiln
January 4, 5, and 10, 2025 • Skill Building Workshop: Salt Firing w/Nathan Stanfield • 9 AM-5 PM Sat & Sun • $300
Students joined Nathan Stanfield in the AMOCA studio for a 3-day, hands-on workshop on the topic of salt firing. Participants learned all aspects of the process of salt firing and had the opportunity to fire their own work in AMOCA’s outdoor kiln.
September 28 & 29, October 5, 2024 . Skill Building Workshop: Soda Firing w/Nathan Stanfield . 9 AM-5 PM Sat & Sun . $350
Participants joined Nathan Stanfield in the AMOCA studio for a 3-day, hands-on workshop on the topic of soda firing. Participants learned all aspects of the process of soda firing and had the opportunity to fire their own work in AMOCA’s outdoor kiln.
September 7 & 8, 2024 . Skill Building Workshop: Exploring Ceramic Surface Design w/Adrienne Eliades .10 AM – 3 PM Sat & Sun . $350
This hands-on workshop provided an overview to surface decoration techniques from basic underglaze painting to creating intricate designs with combined application methods.
June 29 & 30, July 2, 2024 . Skill Building Workshop: Soda Firing w/Mike Stumbras . 9 AM-5 PM Sat, Sun, & Tues (optional) . $400
In this multi-day workshop, students learned about and participated in the firing of a Cone 10 reduction soda kiln, with special attention paid to achieving spectacular microcrystalline surfaces.
June 8 & 9, 2024 . Skill Building Workshop: Sgraffito for the Narrative Surface w/Kathy King . 9 AM-3 PM Sat & Sun . $350
This weekend workshop focused on using the technique of sgraffito; Kathy King demonstrated different carving tools and how she uses them to create a variety of marks–and the best state of the clay to use them–as well as the methods she uses to transfer drawn images onto the three-dimensional surface.
May 25, 26, & 28, 2024 . Skill Building Workshop: Soda Firing w/Ian Bassett . times vary . $400
Participants joined artist Ian Bassett in the AMOCA studio for a 3-day, hands-on workshop on the topic of soda firing. Participants learned all aspects of the process of soda firing and had the opportunity to fire their own work in AMOCA’s outdoor kiln.
April 5, 6, & 7, 2024 . Ceramic Furniture w/Austin Coudriet . 10 AM-5 PM Fri, Sat, & Sun . $400
During this 3-day, hands-on workshop, participants will fabricated a chair, stool, or side table with 100 lbs of clay. Participants learned Austin’s coil and slab-building techniques, attachments styles, and the importance of moisture control.
December 9, 10, & 12, 2023 . Soda Firing w/Johnny Arvizu . times vary . $350
During this three-day working with Johnny Arvizu, participants learned all aspects of the process of soda firing and had the opportunity to fire their own work in AMOCA’s outdoor kiln.
September 30 & October 1, 2023 . Steins, Beer, & Salt Firing w/T and Jon Pacini . times vary . $300
This two-day workshop (9 AM to 2PM Saturday and 9AM – 4 PM Sunday) includes a combination of presentations, demonstration, and hands-on participation.
August 26, 27, 30, & September 2, 2023 . Soda Firing w/Nathan Stanfield . times vary . $350
This multi-day workshop will walk you through the process of soda firing, from glazing and wadding to kiln loading, firing, and spraying. Participants will learn how to soda fire, fire their own work, and delve into nuances of the firing process.
August 19, 20, & 26, 2023 . Clay Collage w/Breana Ferreira . times vary . $350
In this 3-day workshop students will created layered surfaces on greenware and bisqueware. Participants will learn how to create underglaze transfers, design paper patterns, and plan out a layered composition.
June 24 & 25, 2023 . Figurative Sculpture w/Biliana Popova . 10 AM – 4 PM Sat & Sun . $250
This ceramic sculpture workshop will be full of helpful information on solid sculpting a human figure. The focus will be on interpretation from 2D sketch to 3D format, giving special attention to the anatomy and balance of the sculpture.
June 10, 11, & 17, 2023 . Soda Firing w/Sam Lopez . times vary . $300
This 3-day workshop will introduce students to the soda firing process and will include demonstrations for glazing, loading, firing, and spraying the sodium solution into the kiln.
January 28 & 29, February 1 & 4, 2023 . Soda Firing w/Nathan Stanfield . times vary . $350
This multi-day workshop will walk you through the process of soda firing, from glazing and wadding to kiln loading, firing, and spraying. Participants will learn how to soda fire, fire their own work, and delve into nuances of the firing process.
November 12-13, 2022 . Figurative Sculpture w/Aida Nicole Lugo Cantu . 10 AM – 2 PM Sat & Sun . $150
This two-day bilingual workshop (English & Spanish) will include demonstration and hands-on participation. Class will meet 10 AM to 2 PM each day (Saturday and Sunday). Participants will learn hand-building techniques to create small studies of figurative sculptures.
October 22-23, 2022 . Steins, Beer, & Salt Firing w/T and Jon Pacini . 10 AM – 3 PM / 10 AM – 5PM . $225
Join southern California artists T and Jon Pacini for a Beer Stein-themed weekend! This 2-day workshop will include slide presentations on stein and ale bottle styles and a behind-the-scenes tour of AMOCA’s Mettlach Collection as well as demonstrations and throwing time in the studio. On Saturday, participants will create beer stein and ale bottle shapes on the wheel. On Sunday, we’ll learn lid decoration and handle-making to finish our vessels and get them ready for firing in the salt kiln. The weekend ends with a Sunday afternoon beer tasting.
July 9, 2022 . Architectural Incense Holders w/Eunbi Cho . 10 AM – 3 PM . $75
Join Los Angeles-based artist Eunbi Cho for a three-hour skill building workshop. In this workshop, we’ll create architectural incense holders using hand-building and slab techniques.
April 9-10, 2022 . Mold Making w/Colby Charpentier . 10 AM – 3 PM . $325
Join artist in residence Colby Charpentier for this two-day workshop will cover designing plaster molds primarily for slip casting and press molding clay. We will go over plaster mixing, hand-ladled molds, and multi-part molds. There will be a combination of demonstration and hands-on participation. Students are asked to bring a few small models and ideas. We will choose one plaster mold project per student to work on through the weekend. Some clay experience is helpful.
February 27, 2022 . Clay Whistles w/Colby Charpentier . 10 AM – 1 PM . $75
November 5-13, 2021 . Soda Firing w/Richard Burkett
Many thanks to Richard Burkett of San Diego for kicking off our return to in person activities with a soda fire workshop November 5-13.
Things to Know / Policies
- Refunds are not allowed after the class begins. Refunds requested during the week prior to the start of the class will be honored at 50%. If you would like to request a refund, email studio@amoca.org.
- Introductory sessions , workshops, and six-week studio classes are for adults ages 18 and over (students 16+ may attend when accompanied by a paying adult).
- AMOCA may photograph or video visitors for educational and promotional purposes. Attendance to a workshop or event constitutes the attendee’s consent regarding the possibility of appearing in Museum or Studio marketing materials.
- Because costs can be a barrier to accessibility, AMOCA offers Studio Scholarships for Adult students when funds are available.
- AMOCA follows current Los Angeles County COVID guidelines. We encourage you to keep up to date on vaccines, wear a mask if you’d like to, and stay healthy!
Thanks for your interest in workshops and classes at the AMOCA Ceramics Studio! If you have any questions, requests, or suggestions, send us an email at studio@amoca.org or reach us by calling (909) 865-3146.
Bring Some Culture to Your Inbox
301 N Garey Ave Pomona, CA 91767
909.865.3146 | studio@amoca.org
The Studio is open by appointment only.
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