Tao of Clay
Stools & Side Tables with Austin Coudriet
Stools & Side Tables with Austin Coudriet
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Saturday, May 30th - Monday, June 1st, 2026 | 3-Day Workshop | 10AM - 5:00 PM each day
Join us at Tao of Clay for an immersive 3-day workshop with ceramic artist Austin Coudriet, where participants will create their own piece of ceramic furniture. Students may choose to build a stool or side table while exploring advanced hand-building techniques designed for large-scale and structural work in clay.
Under Austin’s guidance, participants will learn advanced coil and slab construction methods, focusing on moisture control, attachment techniques, and structural reinforcement. Students will explore when and how to incorporate internal supports, ensuring proper weight distribution and long-term stability in their furniture designs.
Throughout the workshop, participants will gain practical experience working with enclosed forms, shrink slabs, and large-scale clay construction while learning how to safely manage the drying process for large ceramic pieces. Austin will also share strategies for moving, repairing, and firing large works, including techniques for repairing surface cracks at different stages of fabrication.
This workshop is ideal for makers looking to expand their sculptural and functional practice, pushing clay beyond traditional vessel forms into the realm of furniture and design.
By the end of the workshop, each participant will have created a unique ceramic furniture piece while gaining valuable knowledge about large-scale ceramic design and construction.
Please note: student work will be limited to 12” x 12” x 24” to ensure all pieces can be fired. Firing is not included but can be arranged for an additional fee.
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Prerequisite:
Prior experience with clay is recommended. This workshop is best suited for makers who are comfortable with basic hand-building techniques and want to expand into larger and more structural work.
Daily Schedule
Teaching hours: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch Break: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Teaching Hours: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Topics Covered
- Designing functional ceramic furniture forms
- Understanding slab shrinkage and structural planning
- Creating and evaluating scale models (maquettes)
- Coil and slab construction for large forms
- Rolling and compressing slabs to prevent warping and cracking
- Structural supports and internal reinforcement
- Techniques for enclosing large forms
- Surface refinement and finishing methods
- Managing drying for large ceramic pieces
- Strategies for repairing cracks during fabrication
- Best practices for moving and firing large ceramic works
Tools
Tao of Clay will provide a selection of communal tools including wooden boards, rolling pins, spray bottles, banding wheels, ribs, and plastic sheeting.
Students are required to bring their own preferred tools such as ribs, wire tools, paddles, knives, rulers, and sure forms.
Firing
Please note: student work will be limited to 12” x 12” x 24” to ensure all pieces can be fired.
Firing is not included in the registration fee. Students may arrange firing services through Tao of Clay for an additional fee. Some students choose to transport their furniture pieces home unfired depending on size and travel plans.
Firing fees will be dependent on size. An email communicating costs will go out to all registrants closer to the workshop date.
Studio Access
This workshop includes access to the studio only during scheduled workshop hours.
About Austin Coudriet
Austin Coudriet is a ceramic artist originally from Lincoln, Nebraska. He received his BFA with a dual emphasis in sculpture and ceramics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2019. His work explores the intersection of sculpture, architecture, and design, often blurring the line between functional objects and sculptural forms.
Austin currently works as a long-term resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana, where he continues to develop his practice in large-scale sculpture and ceramic furniture. His work draws inspiration from architecture, modern design, and the structural possibilities of clay.
Austin has previously held residencies at the Clay Studio of Missoula, Clay Art Center in New York, and the LUX Center for the Arts. In addition to his studio practice, he actively teaches workshops internationally and is a founding member of the ceramic collective Mud Ties.
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.
Age Requirement
Ages 18 +
(Ages 16–18 may participate with prior approval. Please contact info@taoofclay.com.)
Please contact info@taoofclay.com with any questions.
