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Pied Potter Hamelin

Pottery Demonstrations, Lectures and Workshops by Master Potter Rick Hamelin

School Programs - Fun and Interactive Pottery Programs at Your School

Bring creativity to your classroom with these fun pottery programs at your school! Perfect for students of all ages, this engaging experience allows participants to explore the art of pottery. Master Potter Rick Hamelin will guide them through the process, demonstrating essential techniques and ensuring everyone has a chance to experience clay. Ideal for art, history and language classes. Book today to inspire young artists and make learning fun!

Amazing Magical Potter’s Wheel - Ages: 5+, teens, adults

60 min. or 90 min. workshop (prices and details at the bottom of page)

Pottery Wheel Demonstration with Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot

Captivating pottery wheel demonstration program, perfect for all ages. Explore creativity while discovering fascinating pottery techniques enriched by a touch of history. Master Potter Rick Hamelin will pass around a freshly made pot from the potter's wheel. But that's not all – each participant will have the opportunity to experience the clay by making their own pot, a unique unfired cup formed by gently squeezing clay with your thumb and finger. Join us for a family-friendly journey into the world of pottery and take home your unfired masterpiece, a tangible reminder of your artistic adventure!

Audience size: unlimited

Book Suggestion - children 5 and up: The Great Clay Adventure: Creative Hand-building Projects for Young Artists by Ellen Kong and Claire Mowbray Golding

Book Suggestion - teens and adults: Pinch Pottery: Functional, Modern Hand-building by Susan Halls; Ceramics for Beginners: Hand Building by Shay Amber

Venue requirements: Ramp or elevator

•  Standard 15 amp outlet for the pottery wheel demonstration workshops
•  I will bring everything else.

© 2009-26 Pied Potter Hamelin | All Rights Reserved | rick@americanredware.com | 413-436-7444 | Design Gariné Arakelian

Pricing and Details for Pottery Wheel Demonstration with Optional Hands-On Pinch Pottery Workshops

60 min. Pottery Wheel Demo w/hands-on pinch pot (+30 min. set-up/30 min. clean up)

Fee: $325 +$1/pinch pot per participant (cost of materials), plus mileage charge (see below).

Materials Fee for “Dragon Sculpting”: $2.50 per dragon only for the “Dragon Sculpting” workshop

90 min. Pottery Wheel Demo w/hands-on pinch pot, passing wet bowl around the audience and touching pot on wheel (+30 min. set-up/30 min. clean up)

Fee: $350 +$1/pinch pot per participant (cost of materials), plus mileage charge (see below).

Travel fee: $0.70/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.

Discounts: available for scheduling 2 or more workshops on the same day at the same location.

Mr. Hamelin will provide all the materials and the venue only pays for the materials used.

Venue requirements:

• Parking near the entrance door, ramp or elevator are necessary for all workshops.
• The venue representative will confirm the number of participants 3 days prior to the event for the hands-on workshops.
• Standard 15 amp outlet is necessary for the pottery wheel demonstrations.
• I will bring everything else.

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

Outdoor Festival Programs: Engaging and Educational

And One Good Turn Deserves Another - Open Air Pottery Wheel Demonstration

60 min. or 90 min. workshop (prices and details at the bottom of page)

Introducing our Festival Programs Open Air Demonstration by Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin! This informal performance is designed to enchant the strolling audience with a showcase of pots and animals that perfectly complement the fair theme. Whether it's a museum special event, art festival, or agricultural fair, his programs blend multiculturalism, heritage, geology, history, and creativity into a captivating experience. Join us as we bring joy and education to diverse groups attending historic day and town anniversary celebrations.

Audience size: unlimited

Venue requirements: Ramp or elevator

•  Standard 15 amp outlet for the pottery wheel demonstration workshops
•  I will bring everything else.

Language and Culture Exploration

All Languages and Cultures

60 min. or 90 min. workshop (prices and details at the bottom of page)

Pottery Wheel Demonstration with Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot

Delve into the fascinating world of languages and cultures with this engaging program. Immerse yourself in the art of pottery and uncover the rich history and techniques associated with various geographical regions and eras. From French and Spanish to German and beyond, we cater to all languages and cultures at your request. With firsthand demonstrations, Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin brings the art of pottery to life, showcasing the unique vocabulary, forms and traditions of global potters. Experience the magic of pottery as you pass from person to person a freshly made pot. Additionally, each person will experience the clay by making their own pinch pot, an unfired cup fashioned by pinching the clay with your thumb and finger. The masterpiece can be taken home as a proud reminder of your artistic adventure.

Audience size: unlimited

Venue requirements: Ramp or elevator

•  Standard 15 amp outlet for the pottery wheel demonstration workshops
•  I will bring everything else.

Explore Careers in Pottery

Always Stuck in the Mud

60 min. or 90 min. workshop (prices and details below)

Pottery Wheel Demonstration with Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot

As a master potter, Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin will showcase his skills through a mesmerizing wheel-thrown pottery demonstration. Throughout the program, he will share his personal journey, from teaching to museum work and even science, he’s experienced it all! He will highlight the diverse career opportunities in today's market, such as independent studio artists, museum interpreters, ceramic designers, educators, production potters, designing for manufacturers and gallery owners. Get ready for a hands-on experience like no other. Each participant will have the opportunity to hold a freshly made pot from the potter's wheel, feeling its smooth texture. But that's not all - each person will experience the clay by making their own pinch pot, an unfired cup fashioned by pinching the clay with your thumb and finger. And the best part? Your unfired masterpiece will accompany you home, a tangible reminder of your pottery adventure.

Audience size: unlimited

Venue requirements: Ramp or elevator

•  Standard 15 amp outlet for the pottery wheel demonstration workshops
•  I will bring everything else.

Experience Ancient Pottery

Classical Greek and Roman Pottery

60 min. or 90 min. workshop (pieces and details at the bottom of page)

Pottery Wheel Demonstration with Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot

In this exciting class, students will have the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of ancient pottery. They will have a firsthand look at various types of pottery created on the wheel during different historical eras. They will have the chance to touch and examine a freshly made pot straight from the potter's wheel. As the pot rotates, they will be able to feel the texture and appreciate the craftsmanship involved in creating it. Each person will experience the clay by making their own pinch pot, an unfired cup fashioned by pinching the clay with your thumb and finger. The unfired pot can be taken home by the student. Don't miss out on this engaging and educational opportunity to discover the wonders of pottery-making.

Audience size: unlimited

Venue requirements: Ramp or elevator

•  Standard 15 amp outlet for the pottery wheel demonstration workshops
•  I will bring everything else.

Ancient Roman Face Pot

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