{"product_id":"foraging-wild-clay","title":"From Earth to Fire: Foraging \u0026 Firing Wild Clay","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Earth to Fire: A Journey in Southern California Wild Clay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis five-session intensive program with Atoosa Lotfi follows clay from raw earth to finished ceramic piece using locally foraged Southern California clays. Over the course of 3 weeks, students will develop a deeper connection to ceramic materials and processes by participating in guided field exploration, hands-on clay processing, making sessions, and a final beach pit-firing experience. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eLearn about the materials that have made ceramics possible for thousands of years, and how different cultures throughout history have worked with clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat you'll learn \u0026amp; do:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExplore and forage from natural clay sources in the field\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearn to identify and evaluate natural clays\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProcess raw clay into a workable clay body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderstand clay properties and how the material behaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForm your own project-based ceramic work in the studio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExperience traditional outdoor pit-firing techniques\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild practical, hands-on skills for future ceramic projects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Schedule:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003eJanuary 29: Materials Lecture, (6-9p @ POT Gardens)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003eJanuary 30: Foraging field trips. (9:30-12:30p \u0026amp; 1:30-4:30p offsite)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003eJanuary 31: Clay Processing. (4-8p @ POT Gardens)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003eFebruary 6: Making Session (4-7p @ POT Gardens)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003eFebruary 20: Final pit firing (Dockweiler beach, time TBD)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rest:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAges 18+\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLimit 10 students\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor students \u0026amp; lovers of clay who are seriously interested in the medium and expanding their practice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEspecially beneficial for those with their own studios and kilns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll levels welcome\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePayment plans available at checkout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAtoosa Lotfi (@atoosa.lotfi) is an Iranian-born ceramicist and materials scientist with formal training in ceramics. Her work is informed by a deep understanding of materials as she has participated in residencies across the United States, Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa, where she studied and worked alongside internationally recognized ceramicists. These experiences exposed her to a diverse range of clay traditions and firing techniques. Atoosa guides students through the process of understanding, sourcing, and transforming clay while fostering curiosity, experimentation, and a deeper connection to the material itself. Her teaching combines hands-on skill development with insights into the many ways people around the world have engaged with clay as a medium for creativity, utility, and expression.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"POT LA Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67666930827497,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0550\/2464\/8425\/files\/Untitled_-_October_30_2026_at_12.50.48-2_2.jpg?v=1793390733","url":"https:\/\/www.potstudiola.com\/products\/foraging-wild-clay","provider":"POT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}