Pied Potter Hamelin

Pottery Demonstrations, Lectures and Workshops by Master Potter Rick Hamelin

Hands-On Clay Workshops - VERY Clean Guaranteed!

Experience the joy of molding and shaping clay with our engaging programs. These workshops are designed for all ages looking to experience the feel of clay. In a supportive environment, learn a variety of techniques and watch as your ideas come to life through the transformative power of clay. Guided by Master Potter Rick Hamelin, unleash your creativity. These workshops are incredibly tidy, ensuring that there won't be any clay remnants left behind.

Colorful Clay Tile (No Mess Left Behind) - Ages: 4+, teens, adults - up to 22 participants max

90 min. hands-on workshop with a Teacher and Assistant

No Pottery Wheel Demonstration

Experience working with clay during this delightful all ages, family-friendly hands-on workshop! Join us in exploring creativity and techniques with Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin. We will provide you with white clay, as we guide you through the process of creating a colorful tile masterpiece. Learn foundational hand-building coil and slab techniques and let your imagination run wild as you choose from a variety of themes to bring your creation to life. Using non-toxic acrylic paint in vibrant colors, you will transform your tile into a true work of art. Best of all, you get to take your unique creation home at the end of the workshop - no waiting around for glazing and kiln firing! Embrace a fun-filled experience and unleash your inner artist with our amazing hands-on workshop. With adult participation required with each child under the age of 8, this is a bonding experience like no other.

Audience size: 22 participants max

Venue requirements:

• Parking near the entrance door, ramp or elevator are necessary for all workshops.
• Please inform participants that this is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 8.
• We will be using acrylic paints so an old shirt is necessary to protect clothing.
• U-shaped seating arrangement preferred, with chairs on the outside, and one table for me towards the opening.
• Feel free to use my description and pictures as well. I will bring an assistant and everything else!

Pricing and Other Details

Audience size: 15-22 participants - 90 min. program (plus 45 min. set-up & 30 min. clean-up)

Fee for up to 15 participants (includes all materials)________$420 +mileage Extra participants up to 22 will be charged $7 each for materials. Let me know if more than 15 participants register.

The same day and same location second program gets a discount.

Travel Fee: $0.75/mile - Mileage discounts are available for multiple workshops in the same area. The travel fee is capped at $125 for most programs.

Also Available

Holiday Themed Colorful Clay Tile (No Mess Left Behind)

Choose From: Valentine’s Day, 4th of July, Halloween/Fall, Winter Holiday

Ages: 4+, teens and adults - 15-22 participants - 90 min. Workshop with a Teacher and Assitant

Same description and price as above but with chosen holiday theme. No photo available yet.

Clay Gnome (No Mess Left Behind)- Ages: 4+, teens and adults - up to 22 participants max

90 min. Hands-on workshop with a Teacher and Assistant

No Pottery Wheel Demonstration

Experience the use of clay and molding it into an adorable gnome during this delightful all ages, family-friendly hands-on workshop! Our workshop is where creativity knows no bounds and while exploring various foundational hand-building techniques such as pinch pots, coils and slabs, you will unleash your imagination! In this class, taught by Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin, we will work with white clay, shaping it into two enchanting pinch pots. But why stop there? We will take our creations a step further, transforming them into whimsical gnomes using coils, pads, stamps and incising techniques for a perfect tactile texture. Finally, we will paint our gnomes with an array of non-toxic acrylic colors, ensuring a vibrant finish. And the best part? Each participant gets to take their gnome home at the end of the workshop! With no glazing or kiln firing required, this experience is an absolute delight for craft enthusiasts of all ages. Let your creativity bloom! With adult participation required with each child under the age of 8, this is a bonding experience like no other.

Audience size: 22 participants max

Venue requirements:

•  Parking near the entrance door, ramp or elevator are necessary for all workshops.
•  Please inform participants that this is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 8.
•  We will be using acrylic paints so an old shirt is necessary to protect clothing.
•  U-shaped seating arrangement preferred, with chairs on the outside, and one table for me towards the opening.

Feel free to use my description and pictures as well. I will bring an assistant and everything else!

Pricing and Other Details

Audience size: 15-22 participants - 90 min. program (plus 45 min. set-up & 30 min. clean-up)

Fee for up to 15 participants (includes all materials)________$420 +mileage Extra participants up to 22 will be charged $7 each for materials. Let me know if more than 15 participants register.

The same day and same location second program gets a discount.

• Travel Fee: $0.75/mile - Mileage discounts are available for multiple workshops in the same area. The travel fee is capped at $125 for most programs.

Also Available

Holiday Themed Clay Gnome (No Mess Left Behind)

Choose From: Valentine’s Day, 4th of July, Halloween/Fall, Winter Holiday

Ages: 4+, teens and adults - 15-22 participants - 90 min. Workshop with a Teacher and Assistant

Same description and price as above but with chosen holiday theme. No photo available yet.

click to enlarge image

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© 2009-2027 Pied Potter Hamelin | All Rights Reserved | rick@americanredware.com | 413-436-7444 | Design Gariné Arakelian

Travel fee: $0.75/mile round trip. Mileage discounts are available for multiple workshops in the same area. If we can book you on the same day with another venue, within 15 miles from your location, we will split the fee between the two venues. Travel fee is capped at $125 for most programs.

• For more information contact Rick at rick@americanredware.com or call 413-436-7444

Students Work in Progress

Rick’s background

• Pied Potter Hamelin, (AmericanRedware.com) Pottery Studio Owner, Warren, MA
• Old Sturbridge Village, Interpreter Specialist/Master Potter, Sturbridge, MA
• Massachusetts Cultural Council Keepers of Tradition Award - The keepers of tradition are artists recognized as outstanding practitioners of craft, music, dance and sacred arts.
• Massachusetts Cultural Council “Gold Star Award” for school programs
• Recipient of over 1000 Massachusetts Cultural Council, Local Grant awards since 1985
• Early American Life Magazine “Traditional Artisan” recognition for over 20 years.
• National Park Service grant co-recipient with Boston Archaeology and Royal House Museum. Redware used in many museums including Fort Ticonderoga, Billings Farm Museum.

Developed and instituted curriculum at:

• PiedPotter.com since 1985 - Lectures, hands-on workshops and pottery demonstrations at public venues, libraries, senior centers, historical societies, museums and schools
• Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg, MA - Youth Instructor
• Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA - Youth Instructor
• Summer’s World Center for the Arts, Worcester, MA - Instructor and Pottery Studio Manager

All workshops are also listed with the Massachusetts Libraries Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) at https://mblc.state.ma.us/directories/performers/programs.php

Dragon Sculpting - Ages: 5+, teens, adults - up to 22 participants max

90 min. Hands-on workshop with a Teacher and Assistant

Fun Pottery Wheel Demonstration and Hands-On

Welcome to our short pottery demonstration and hands-on workshop! This immersive experience is perfect for anyone looking to explore the art of working with clay. During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to make a pot, a unique cup made from a ball of clay by pinching it with the thumb and finger. But the fun doesn't stop there! Master Potter Rick Hamelin will also teach you how to alter your pinch pot into a stunning unfired dragon using coils, pads and slabs. This workshop is all about creativity and you will leave with a beautiful and personalized dragon. With adult participation required with each child under the age of 8, this is a bonding experience like no other.

Audience size: 22 participants max

Venue requirements:

•  Parking near the entrance door, ramp or elevator are necessary for all workshops.
•  Please inform participants that this is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 8.
•  We will be using acrylic paints so an old shirt is necessary to protect clothing.
•  U-shaped seating arrangement preferred, with chairs on the outside, and one table for me towards the opening.
•  Feel free to use my description and pictures as well. I will bring everything else!

Pricing and Other Details

Audience size: 15-22 participants - 90 min. program (plus 45 min. set-up & 30 min. clean-up)

Fee for up to 15 participants (includes all materials)________$420 +mileage Extra participants up to 22 will be charged $7 each for materials. Let me know if more than 15 participants register.

The same day and same location second program gets a discount.

• Travel Fee: $0.75/mile - Mileage discounts are available for multiple workshops in the same area. The travel fee is capped at $125 for most programs.

Painted Dragon - Ages: 5+, teens, adults - up to 22 participants max

90 min. hands-on workshop with a Teacher and Assistant

No Pottery Wheel Demonstration

Welcome to our workshop, perfect for anyone looking to explore the art of working with clay. During the program, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to make a pinch pot, a unique cup made from a ball of clay by pinching it with the thumb and finger. But the fun doesn't stop there! Master Potter Rick Hamelin will also teach you how to alter your pinch pot into a stunning unfired dragon using coils, pads and slabs. Finally, we will paint our dragons with a variety of non-toxic acrylic colors, ensuring a vibrant finish and at the end of the workshop, each participant will take their project home. With no glazing or kiln firing required, this experience is an absolute delight for craft enthusiasts. With adult participation required with each child under the age of 8, this is a bonding experience like no other.

Audience size: 22 participants max

Venue requirements:

•  Parking near the entrance door, ramp or elevator are necessary for all workshops.
•  Please inform participants that this is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 8.
•  We will be using acrylic paints so an old shirt is necessary to protect clothing.
•  U-shaped seating arrangement preferred, with chairs on the outside, and one table for me towards the opening.
•  Feel free to use my description and pictures as well. I will bring an assistant and everything else!

Pricing and Other Details

Audience size: 15-22 participants - 90 min. program (plus 45 min. set-up & 30 min. clean-up)

Fee for up to 15 participants (includes all materials)________$420 +mileage Extra participants up to 22 will be charged $7 each for materials. Let me know if more than 15 participants register.

The same day and same location second program gets a discount.

• Travel Fee: $0.75/mile - Mileage discounts are available for multiple workshops in the same area. The travel fee is capped at $125 for most programs.