Skip to product information
1 of 5

Tao of Clay

Natural Materials // Wild Clay with Olla Ceramics

Natural Materials // Wild Clay with Olla Ceramics

Regular price $475.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $475.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

$475 Per Person — Ages 18 and up

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

4-Class Workshop: 

September 13–14 & 20–21, 2025

Level: Beginner-Advanced

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

Join us for a special hands-on workshop led by ceramicist and soil cataloguist Ariana Kier of Olla Ceramics. In this four-part series, we’ll explore the origins of clay, how to recognize and process it, and how deepening your connection to native soils can transform your ceramic practice.

After covering the basics of how to recognize clay in the wild and a brief look at the significant role clay pigments have played in human culture, participants will set out into a nature preserve, located in Vista, CA, for which we have been granted exclusive access, to forage for clay material. This guided outing will be led by one of the preserve’s own plant stewards and a member of the Tao of Clay studio, Savannah Stallings. 

During the second weekend, the group will embark on the rewarding experience of transforming the foraged clay into a usable material for ceramics. Ariana of Olla Ceramics will lead participants through a process of conducting tests and recording data that can be replicated with any clay encountered in the future. 


Workshop Schedule

Weekend 1: Exploration + Collection

  • Saturday, Sept 13 | 5:30–7:30 PM — Lecture + Introduction to Wild Clay
  • Sunday, Sept 14 | 4:00–6:00 PM — Field Collection at the Preserve

Weekend 2: Processing + Testing

  • Saturday, Sept 20 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM — Clay Processing + Testing
  • Sunday, Sept 21 | 5:30–7:30 PM — Review + Data Documentation

About Ariana Kier of Olla Ceramics

Ariana Kier is a ceramicist and soil cataloguist with over ten years of experience in ceramics and sculpture, five of which emphasize a focus on the utilization of natural materials. 

Her work with deep ocean sediments has been shown at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, where she is currently spearheading the cataloging of their sand collection. Her research with contaminated soils is a permanent feature at the Rhode Island School of Design’s Fleet Material Library and her unique sculptural explorations of foraged pigments/clays have been featured in galleries from Salt Lake City to Paris. 

She is warmed to share this time with the members of Tao of Clay, and hopes that each artist finds a seed of affection for their native terroir has been planted into their practice and taken root through the techniques learned.


What’s Included

  • All materials and tools

  • Group firing of test tiles

  • Guided access to nature preserve (with permissions)

  • Instruction on sourcing, processing, testing, and documenting wild clay

Accessibility Note

Please note that the material collection portion of the workshop includes trails with stairs, which may not be accessible to all. The preserve itself does not have ramp access at the collection site. We will do our best to include everyone in as much of the experience as possible. 


Transportation Note

The material collection portion of the workshop will take place off-site in Vista, CA. Transportation to the collection location is not provided, so participants will need to arrange their own travel.

We’ll do our best to help coordinate carpools and minimize the number of vehicles traveling—more details will be shared during the first day of the workshop.


Scholarship Ticket Available

We have one scholarship ticket is available at half price, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To inquire, email info@taoofclay.com.

 


Kumeyaay Land

Tao of Clay acknowledges that this workshop takes place on Kumeyaay land. In recognition of this, 10% of our proceeds will be donated to organizations that support and uplift the Kumeyaay community.


What to Know Before Class

  • Tools: No tools will be needed - all materials and tools will be provided
  • Dress Comfortably: We’ll provide aprons, but wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy. Short nails and hair ties are recommended.
  • Firing: This class will include one group firing of test tiles. There will be no outside firing or firing beyond the test tiles fired for the group tests.
  • Studio Access: This workshop does not include studio access outside of workshop hours.

Cancellation Policy:

  • Cancellations made more than 30 days in advance: 50% refund.
  • Cancellations within 30 days of the workshop start date: non-refundable.

Missed Days:

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

Please reach out to info@taoofclay.com with any questions.

View full details