4 day Onggi Masterclass with Teacher Kwak Kyung Tae

March 16–19, 2026 | 4-Day Masterclass | 10AM - 5:30 PM each day

Join us at Tao of Clay for an exclusive 4-day Onggi masterclass with Teacher Kwak Kyung Tae, a master of traditional Korean Onggi pottery. This is Teacher Kwak’s first time teaching in San Diego! Designed for pottery enthusiasts of all levels, this immersive masterclass focuses on large-scale clay work and traditional Korean techniques. With two apprentices assisting, the small teacher-to-student ratio allows for personalized 1:1 guidance throughout the masterclass.

Participants will explore the full spectrum of Onggi-making techniques, including clay preparation, stretching the clay into coils (taryeom), making the base (ba-dak), coiling up the wall (taryeom-jil), paddling (surae-jil), shaping with metal ribs and forming the rim. Teacher Kwak will also discuss traditional glaze and firing methods for this type of ware.

Masterclass Includes:

• High-quality stoneware clay
• A comprehensive Onggi tool set valued at $300 for each student, including 4 wooden tools, 2 metal ribs, and 1 shammy tool
• Translation by Teacher Kwak’s apprentice
• Basic communal tools (feel free to bring your own)
• Coffee and tea are available throughout the day

This masterclass welcomes participants of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced potters. While the core curriculum is accessible to everyone,  personalized 1:1 guidance will be provided to cater to each individual’s level and aspirations throughout the class.

This course is ideal for individuals seeking to work with clay on a large scale. It also suits those who have experience with hand-building and wish to acquire new skills, streamline their workflow, or diversify their techniques. Regardless of your experience—whether you have been working with clay for days or decades—you will find the Onggi process to be a rewarding and enriching learning experience that deepens your connection with this versatile medium.

Traditional Onggi techniques have been learnt and used by generations of Korean potters; you will learn the same movements that were used thousands of years ago to build strong vessels efficiently.

Topics covered:

• Regional influences, i.e, how geographical limitations influenced subtleties of form and making techniques
• Clay sourcing, storage, and preparation for making Onggi: historical and contemporary approaches
• Practical method to stretch coils (Taryeom) on the table from a block of clay
• Making the base disc and compressing it flat with the pang-mang-i (wooden striking tool)
• Coiling process (Taryeom-jil), simultaneously attaching the coil and creating height in the wall of the piece in a rhythmic set of micro techniques that become one collective movement
• Paddling the form (Surae-jil) using wooden tools inside and outside to compress, thin, and shape the form on the wheel
• Final Shaping (Geun-gae-jil) using metal rib tools for smoothing the surface while altering the line of the final form. 
• Rim forming and refining using a traditional long shammy cloth (Jeon-tae) 
• Scribing of lines and decorative motifs, historical significance, and their role in accentuating form
• Lifting the freshly made onggi off the wheel with the traditional cloth method
• Teacher Kwak’s interpretation of traditional onggi techniques in his artistic practice, along with an invitation to use traditional tools and techniques to inspire new ways of thinking and working

Level: Beginner-Advanced

Prerequisite: Prior experience is not necessary. Open to all skill levels.

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Daily Schedule:

Teaching hours 10:00 AM - 1 PM

Lunch Break: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Teaching Hours: 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM

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Tools

A comprehensive Onggi tool set (provided by Teacher Kwak and valued at $300) is included in the registration fee for this masterclass. Tao of Clay will supply basic studio tools which are limited to bats, wooden boards, sponges, spray bottles, and plastic. Students are welcome to bring their own additional tools beyond the provided Onggi set. A small selection of tools is also available for purchase in the on-site Tao of Clay shop.

Onggi Tool Set

Onggi Tools (pictured from left to right):

• Bang-mang-i (방망이) - wooden club
• Su-rae (수레) - flat paddle
• Mit-ka-sae (밑가세) - wooden knife
• Do-ge (도게) -  striking pad
• Geun-gae (근게) - 2 metal ribs
• Jeon-dae (전대) - shammy cloth

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Firing

Please note that firing is not included in the registration fee. Firing is available for purchase through Tao of Clay. Pricing is determined by size and weight.

Studio Access

This workshop includes access to the studio only during scheduled workshop hours.

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About Teacher Kwak Kyung Tae

A fascination with large Onggi vessels and the rough simplicity of Korean slipware led Kwak Kyung-tae to develop his own voice in clay. He works exclusively in Onggi and Buncheong, taking his inspiration from the traditions of the Korean peninsula of his birth, particularly during the Joseon dynasty, and applying them in a modern context. His work is resonant of nature’s forms and structures through wheel-thrown and altered work, often including spontaneous marks and gestural brushwork on large pots. His works evoke a balance of the crude and the sublime power of nature’s imperfection, in large and small scale work. The austerity of his style is born from an honest, tacit relationship with clay developed and mastered over a lifetime. He has held solo and group exhibitions throughout East Asia and Europe. His pieces are sold in galleries and shops in Europe, Asia, and the USA.

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Cancellation Policy:

All sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds will be given for cancellations made at any time. Please consider this policy before purchasing a ticket.

Missed Class Policy:

We do not offer refunds, prorated refunds, or make-up sessions for missed workshop days or times.

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Age Requirement:

Ages 18 + (Ages 16–18 may participate with prior approval. Please contact info@taoofclay.com for more information.)

Please contact info@taoofclay.com with any questions.