May 11 - May 16, 2025
Starting at
1,149
North Carolina
The Art of Working Clay by Hand
Program No. 21934RJ
Discover the thrill of working clay by hand as you join experienced instructors to create your own unique masterpieces. Plus, explore the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains!
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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Aug 3 - Aug 8, 2025
Starting at
1,149Aug 24 - Aug 29, 2025
Starting at
1,149DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
May 11 - May 16, 2025
Starting at
1,369Aug 3 - Aug 8, 2025
Starting at
1,369Aug 24 - Aug 29, 2025
Starting at
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
6 days
5 nights
15 meals
5B 5L 5D
3
Scraffito Design & Slips, Elective Hike
Montreat, NC
4
Completion of Projects, Glazing, Free Time
Montreat, NC
5
Glaze Day, Wheel Experience
Montreat, NC
6
Wheel Trim & Handles, Kiln Opening & Final Pieces
Montreat, NC
At a Glance
Encourage and inspire your creative spark as you experience the joy of working clay by hand. Working under expert guidance in a fully equipped pottery studio, use soft clay slab construction and extruded forms to learn and apply a range of techniques including slip and score construction, the slump mold process, scraffitto design and glazing. Begin with raw clay, form it, glaze it and fire it to produce decorative and functional pieces you can take home proudly. It may all sound foreign now, but by the end of the program you’ll sound — and look! — like a pro.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Daily climbing a flight of stairs to the second floor of a building where classes are held, walking up and down hills.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Work with a professional potter to create your own pieces.
- Go home with useful and beautiful finished pieces as well as a toolbox full of new skills that will surely spark your interest to do more with clay!
- Learn specific handbuilding, throwing, glazing and kiln/firing techniques, as well as gaining new insight into the culture of clay.
General Notes
The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event, and a value-priced single room. Appropriate for beginners and more advanced students. Opportunities are available for traveling companions to attend a different program at Montreat during the same week. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Becky Garrity
Becky Garrity studied sculpture and ceramics at the College of William and Mary and landed a pottery apprenticeship in Japan. After a brief stint as a graphic designer, she devoted herself to pottery, and since 1998, she has been committed to making pots and teaching pottery. Her aesthetically influenced work is showcased in several galleries, and she claims her pottery is inspired by the energy of her eager students.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Becky Garrity
View biography
Becky Garrity studied sculpture and ceramics at the College of William and Mary and landed a pottery apprenticeship in Japan. After a brief stint as a graphic designer, she devoted herself to pottery, and since 1998, she has been committed to making pots and teaching pottery. Her aesthetically influenced work is showcased in several galleries, and she claims her pottery is inspired by the energy of her eager students.
Ann Laird Jones
View biography
Rev. Dr. Ann Laird Jones has been working in the Sally Jones Pottery at Montreat for 26 years, and loves every part of working with clay! She is driven by the vigorous conversation between arts and theology, and is moved by the collaborative opportunities to work in community with great artists. She has served as Montreat Conference Center's director of arts ministry since 1993.
Tracy Bailey
View biography
Tracy has been on the program staff of Montreat Conference Center since 1986. She began working with Elderhostel programs in 1989, and in 1997 assumed the additional role of on-site coordinator. A native of the area, she graduated from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College in 1981. Her favorite hobbies are hiking, pottery and reading. Tracy married Sam in 2007, and added three daughters to her family. In addition to her own grown children, she and Sam have been foster parents since 2010. They have four grandchildren.
Sarah Peters
View biography
Sarah Friday Peters grew up surrounded by the pottery traditions of North Carolina. She started making her own pots while working summers in Montreat as an arts and crafts instructor, as well as a handbuilding pottery instructor. Sarah began Wellspring Creative in 2006, making handcrafted jewelry and gifts, and is current president of the Triangle Potters Guild in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nature, spirituality, fellow potters, and new tools, textures, and techniques continue to inspire her. She and Cathie are looking forward to inspiring you!
Cathie Dodson
View biography
Cathie Dodson, an artist and former English teacher who moved to Montreat from Louisiana six years ago, has worked on Montreat summer staff at Sally Jones Pottery since 2018. She enjoys sharing the sanctuary space that exists in the pottery studio and helping others explore their own creative gifts in new ways.
Suggested Reading List
(1 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Art of Working Clay by Hand
Program Number: 21934
Handbuilt Ceramics: Pinching, Coiling, Extruding, Molding, Slip Casting, Slab Work (A Lark Ceramics Book)
Handbuilt Ceramics is written for beginners and experts alike. As a newcomer to the world of clay, you'll start by learning how to set up a workshop and gather tools, select a clay and shape it, and decorate and fire what you make. Then, when you're actually ready to plunge your hands into moist clay for the first time, the author will guide you carefully through a series of step-by-step projects: a basic pinch pot, coiled planter, slip-cast pitcher, press-molded relief tile, and more. Each of these projects comes with helpful "how-to" photos, and each is designed to let you practice at least one handbuilding and decorating method.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Montreat, NC
Program Concludes
Montreat, NC
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
15
| 5B |
5L |
5D |
Activity Level
Encourage and inspire your creative spark as you experience the joy of working clay by hand. Working under expert guidance in a fully equipped pottery studio, use soft clay slab construction and extruded forms to learn and apply a range of techniques including slip and score construction, the slump mold process, scraffitto design and glazing. Begin with raw clay, form it, glaze it and fire it to produce decorative and functional pieces you can take home proudly. It may all sound foreign now, but by the end of the program you’ll sound — and look! — like a pro.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Work with a professional potter to create your own pieces.
- Go home with useful and beautiful finished pieces as well as a toolbox full of new skills that will surely spark your interest to do more with clay!
- Learn specific handbuilding, throwing, glazing and kiln/firing techniques, as well as gaining new insight into the culture of clay.
General Notes
The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event, and a value-priced single room. Appropriate for beginners and more advanced students. Opportunities are available for traveling companions to attend a different program at Montreat during the same week. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
Becky Garrity
Becky Garrity studied sculpture and ceramics at the College of William and Mary and landed a pottery apprenticeship in Japan. After a brief stint as a graphic designer, she devoted herself to pottery, and since 1998, she has been committed to making pots and teaching pottery. Her aesthetically influenced work is showcased in several galleries, and she claims her pottery is inspired by the energy of her eager students.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Tracy Bailey
Tracy has been on the program staff of Montreat Conference Center since 1986. She began working with Elderhostel programs in 1989, and in 1997 assumed the additional role of on-site coordinator. A native of the area, she graduated from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College in 1981. Her favorite hobbies are hiking, pottery and reading. Tracy married Sam in 2007, and added three daughters to her family. In addition to her own grown children, she and Sam have been foster parents since 2010. They have four grandchildren.
Sarah Peters
Sarah Friday Peters grew up surrounded by the pottery traditions of North Carolina. She started making her own pots while working summers in Montreat as an arts and crafts instructor, as well as a handbuilding pottery instructor. Sarah began Wellspring Creative in 2006, making handcrafted jewelry and gifts, and is current president of the Triangle Potters Guild in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nature, spirituality, fellow potters, and new tools, textures, and techniques continue to inspire her. She and Cathie are looking forward to inspiring you!
Cathie Dodson
Cathie Dodson, an artist and former English teacher who moved to Montreat from Louisiana six years ago, has worked on Montreat summer staff at Sally Jones Pottery since 2018. She enjoys sharing the sanctuary space that exists in the pottery studio and helping others explore their own creative gifts in new ways.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Daily climbing a flight of stairs to the second floor of a building where classes are held, walking up and down hills.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(1 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
15 meals | 5B | 5L | 5D |
9 expert-led lectures
1 expert-led field trip
11 hands-on experiences
3 performances
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Montreat, NC
Meals:
D
Stay:
Assembly Inn
Activity Note
Inn check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name-tag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Note: There will be 2 other Road Scholar programs in session with you this week (21023 C S Lewis and 23769 Pickleball as well as a Presbyterian Military Chaplains Credentialing Program with Chaplains and their families, including young children). Assembly Inn check-in 3:00-5:30 p.m. Pull up to the Assembly Inn porch to unload, then park your vehicle in any designated spot close to the Inn or by the lake and check in. Program Registration. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Feel free to relax in your room, meet and enjoy fellowship with other participants in the beautiful lobby, or stretch your legs with a walk around the campus before dinner.
Dinner:
5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining room.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will also meet the instructor. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment. Sleeping and dining facilities are in one building, with approximately 300 yards walking required. However, you will walk across the street from the Assembly Inn and climb a flight of stairs (no elevator) for your pottery classes. On some evenings, there will be entertainment such as a concert, dance, or storyteller followed by opportunities for fellowship in the lobby of the Inn. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll finish up around 8:00 p.m. with some “get to know you” activities and then have refreshments and fellowship in the lobby. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Bowl Making, Intro. to Working with Slabs, Surface Design
Location:
Montreat, NC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Assembly Inn
Activity Note
Group stretches in the main lobby 7:30-7:45 a.m. Daily climbing a flight of stairs to second floor of building where classes are held; walking up and down hills, mountainous terrain.
Breakfast:
7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room (early morning coffee available around 6:30 a.m.)
Morning:
We will walk across the street from the Assembly Inn, and climb stairs to the 2nd floor of the Sally Jones Pottery Studio. Clay can be pushed, pulled, and pinched in countless ways. Pinching and coiling of clay is an age-old method of forming pottery. Our first project will involve large flat slabs of clay that we will texture, cut, and assemble to form soup bowls. For our second project, we will build a small open vessel or lidded jar combining pinching and coiling. Our focus will be on scoring and slipping to make our pieces water tight. We will consider different ways to fashion handles and decorative attachments. We’ll also have some refreshments to keep us going!
Lunch:
12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room.
Afternoon:
Using textured slabs of clay, we will build boxes that are closed forms which — when stiff — will need to be cut apart to create a lid and base. This is a puzzle indeed! We will finish the afternoon preparing trivets with slip for our “scraffitto” surface design project. Our class time will conclude around 3:15. Next, we’ll set out on an expert-led exploration of Montreat. The remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room.
Evening:
Our evening program will be a musical concert or a storyteller. The remainder of the evening is at leisure, with activities in the lobby of the Inn for fellowship. There may be open studio time at the Sally Jones Pottery.
Day
3
Scraffito Design & Slips, Elective Hike
Location:
Montreat, NC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Assembly Inn
Activity Note
Group stretches in the main lobby 7:30-7:45 a.m. Daily climbing a flight of stairs to second floor of building where classes are held; walking up and down hills, mountainous terrain.
Breakfast:
7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room (early morning coffee available around 6:30 a.m.)
Morning:
Getting back to the puzzle of finishing the box project, we will decide how to separate the lid from the base, then we will need to consider handles and feet. For our second project of the morning, we will use molds into which we press small pieces of clay to create a patchwork surface. If time allows, we will create a drinking vessel with a handle using techniques learned thus far. A mid-morning refreshment and fellowship break will be in the studio.
Lunch:
12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room.
Afternoon:
“Scraffitto” surface design: clay that has stiffened slightly and has a contrasting slip painted on the surface allows us to carve through to expose the darker clay underneath. Colored slips will be available if desired. We’ll also delve further into processes we’ve learned so far. At 3:30 p.m., we’ll set out on an elective hike in the mountains (weather permitting). The remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room.
Evening:
We will gather for a fun evening event: a dance, a concert, or a storyteller. Games/cards/TV will be available in the lobby for fellowship.
Day
4
Completion of Projects, Glazing, Free Time
Location:
Montreat, NC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Assembly Inn
Activity Note
Group stretches in the main lobby 7:30-7:45 a.m. Daily climbing a flight of stairs to second floor of building where classes are held; walking up and down hills, mountainous terrain.
Breakfast:
7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room (early morning coffee available around 6:30 a.m.)
Morning:
We will prepare for the bisque firing by completing all projects in process. We’ll then have an introduction to glazing and learn about glaze ingredients, recipes, and raw materials.
Lunch:
12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. We recommend visiting local galleries in Black Mountain for inspiration for glazing ideas. Kilns will be firing!
Dinner:
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. We will enjoy a farm-to-table meal.
Evening:
We will join our instructors to learn about their artistic journeys and have a presentation on Japanese pottery.
Day
5
Glaze Day, Wheel Experience
Location:
Montreat, NC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Assembly Inn
Activity Note
Group stretches in the main lobby 7:30-7:45 a.m. Daily climbing a flight of stairs to second floor of building where classes are held; walking up and down hills, mountainous terrain.
Breakfast:
7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room (early morning coffee available around 6:30 a.m.)
Morning:
We will gather for a demonstration of the glaze process and will then be able to try various glaze techniques including dipping, pouring, layering, and wax resist. This is your time to glaze all pieces for the final firing. All glazing must be finished before lunch. Food-safe and durable finished pieces will go home with us on Friday for daily use in our homes.
Lunch:
12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room.
Afternoon:
While the kilns are firing, we will delve into a pottery wheel introduction and experience. Be ready to get muddy! We’ll enjoy “throwing” on the wheel without the worry of finishing. All clay used during the wheel-throwing afternoon will be recycled by the studio for use with future classes. We will only keep skills and memories, not pieces, from this pottery wheel immersion. The session will end at 3:30 p.m. The remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll gather for a last evening together as a group (probably a concert), followed by an opportunity for games/cards/TV in lobby for fellowship. Prepare for check-out and departure after lunch tomorrow.
Day
6
Wheel Trim & Handles, Kiln Opening & Final Pieces
Location:
Montreat, NC
Meals:
B,L
Activity Note
Daily climbing a flight of stairs to second floor of building where classes are held; walking up and down hills, mountainous terrain. Check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room (early morning coffee available around 6:30 a.m.)
Morning:
We will continue our experimentation with the wheel by learning how to wheel trim our thrown pieces and how to pull and attach handles in the style commonly used by potters for their wheel thrown work.
Lunch:
in the Assembly Inn Dining Room.
Afternoon:
With great anticipation (around 1 pm), we will celebrate the opening of the kiln and get out final pieces. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
15 Meals
5 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 08, 2025
- May 11, 2025 - May 16, 2025
- Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 08, 2025
- Aug 24, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025
- Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 9 Reviews
Sort By:
Excellent program for a beginner and someone with some previous experience with clay. The staff was excellent as were the facilities. the location was beautiful. Highly recommend.
— Review left September 23, 2024
If you like doing rather than listening, this program is for you. Proudly left the program with my first-time-ever, hand made items. It was exciting, exhausting, educational under the direction of excellent faculty who kept things moving under unpredictable timing of firing kiln etc. Bravo.
.
— Review left September 14, 2024
A surprisingly transformational experience. I got so much more out of my week in Montreat than I expected! The time with the instructors was so personal and caring, and the level of skill they brought into the room was simply awe-inspiring. The love Becky and Ann have for pottery and ceramics, and the clay itself, and for people, and each other, and for the world as a whole is palpably obvious in the way they teach. I felt my whole mind gain clarity and peace with each passing day. I signed up for the 2025 session while I was on day 3 of the 2024 trip and I am already counting down the days.
— Review left August 27, 2024
I loved every minute of this program! I learned so much in such a short time. This class is totally worth your time. Treat yourself to clay joy :)
— Review left May 5, 2024
I truly enjoyed this class and want to return next year, and bring a friend. I can't find it in the catalog. When will this same class be available to sign up for? I guess that tells you how much I enjoyed it since I plan on coming back and bringing a friend!
— Review left October 22, 2023
The Art of Working Clay by Hand was an excellent experience! The instructors and participants were all fantastic and I enjoyed the camaraderie that was built while creating clay projects I wouldn't have thought I could achieve.
— Review left September 2, 2023
My experience provided by Road Scholar lived up to my expectations and desire to experience pottery. The instructors were so knowledgeable! The participants became like family.
— Review left August 21, 2023
This had to be the friendliest group I have ever been with in my 49 programs
— Review left May 7, 2023
The Art of Clay pottery is a program way deeper than working with clay. I came away with a fulfillment artistically, physically, and spiritually.
— Review left May 6, 2023
