Workshops
2026 Workshop Pass
THE QUEEN CITY CLAY WORKSHOP PASS GIVES YOU DISCOUNTED ACCESS TO TWO NATIONAL LEVEL WORKSHOPS AND TWO IN-HOUSE WORKSHOPS WITH OUR LEAD INSTRUCTORS FOR THE 2026 SEASON. GET ALL FOUR OF THESE HIGH-LEVEL WORKSHOPS FOR ONLY $375 (value $565). MAKES A GREAT GIFT!
*QCC members with an annual contract also get 50% off our 2 annual wood fire workshops when adding the workshop pass to their membership.
*Pass holders will be emailed coupon codes for workshop registration.
SCROLL DOWN FOR INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS AND REGISTRATION.
2026 Workshop Schedule
Terra Sigillata- Feb 22nd, 10am-2pm
with Autumn McKay
Resident Artist Autumn McKay loves using terra sigillata in her work. Learn all of her tips and tricks for making and using terra sig effectively to achieve the perfect satiny surface!
In this hands-on workshop participants will learn the process of making terra sig and utilizing it for surface decoration at mid-range temperatures.
QCC will provide 2 tiles per person of a chocolate brown mid-range clay body to experiment with terra sigillata and learn sgraffito techniques on.
Reign of Fire- June 25th-28th
(glazing/firing/visiting artists)
with Heidi McKay Casto, Naomi Peterson, & Fong Choo
Explore the kilns of Queen City Clay in this 4 day workshop!
Staff from Mayco will be here to share products and specialized glazing techniques for use in ALL of our kilns! Try Cone 05 oxidation, Cone 6 reduction, Cone 9 oxidation, Cone 10 reduction, raku, the wood fired train kiln, wood fired sodium cross draft, and cone 10 reduction soda kilns!
And when you’re not loading a kiln or glazing enjoy 2 days of demos from nationally recognized artists while the kilns are firing! Heidi Mckay Casto, Fong Choo, and Naomi Peterson will be here demonstrating building techniques and surface decoration that they utilize in their own work. We’ll come back on Sunday to unload the kilns and see the results!
Building Big- Aug 2nd, 10am-2pm
with Jon Stein & Madison Carson
Learn how to build bigger pots! Throwing and handbuilding will both be covered in this hands-on workshop. Jon will show you techniques that can be utilized for throwing big pots on the wheel. Resident artist Madison Carson specializes in coil building large vessels. Pick your poison! Participants can throw, coil, or use a combination of the two techniques to create a piece of their own. Firing not included. Firing accommodations TBA.
Bring your own tools. QCC will provide an allotment of studio clay.
Mark Hewitt- Oct 10th-11th
10am-5pm each day
Born in England, Mark Hewitt has been making wood fired pots using locally sourced materials in Pittsboro, NC since 1983. He’s known for his large planters, jars, and vases combining a contemporary style that merges various traditions, including English, North Carolinian, and those from his travels in Asia and Africa.
Join Mark for this 2-day workshop as he demonstrates a variety of throwing techniques, ranging from small items to his large signature vessels. Learn the tricks to throwing thin-walled pots quickly and proficiently. Handles, feet, and slip decoration will also be discussed.
Wood Firing Workshops
Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-25
OR Labor Day Weekend, Sep 4-7
Learn to wood fire at Queen City Clay!
Glazing and wadding will take place from 9-1 on Friday. Loading will take place from 1-5.
The kiln will be lit Friday evening and fire through early Sunday morning.
Unload will be Monday evening with a pot luck at the kiln.
All work must be cone 10 clay!
Participants are required to work a minimum of one 4 hour shift and assist in clean up tasks immediately after the unload.
The workshop fee is $155 per unit of kiln space.
One unit is 1.5 cubic feet of kiln space (a 12”x24”x9” space)
The number of participants will be determined by the number of units each participants reserves at registration.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations are permitted up to 14 days prior to the workshop. For cancellations from 14 to 7 days prior to the workshop date, Queen City Clay will apply any workshop fees already paid towards a future workshop, to be used within one year of the date of the original workshop. Participants will forfeit the balance of the workshop fee if attending a future workshop of lower cost. No refunds or credits will be given within 7 days of the workshop. Queen City Clay reserves the right to cancel any of our workshops based on enrollment. All registrants that may be affected by this change will be notified and will receive a full refund for the workshop.
Queen City Clay cannot provide special accommodations for attendees who become ill prior to the workshop. In case of attendee illness, the normal cancellation policy applies. Attendee may transfer their enrollment to another party. Please notify QCC via EMAIL with the name, email address, and phone number of the person you wish to transfer your enrollment to, or to see if we have a waitlist with someone who can take your spot.