Pied Potter Hamelin

Pottery Demonstrations, Lectures and Workshops by Master Potter Rick Hamelin

Hands-On Clay Workshops - VERY Clean Guaranteed!

Experience the joy of shaping clay with our workshops which are perfect for both beginners and experienced artists looking to explore the world of clay. Guided by Rick Hamelin, learn a variety of techniques and watch as your ideas come to life through the transformative power of clay. The best part is that these workshops are incredibly clean, ensuring that there won't be any clay remnants left behind. Join us for a memorable and mess-free exploration of the art of hand building with clay!

Colorful Clay Tile (No Mess Left Behind) - Ages: 4+, teens and adults

15-22 participants - 90 min. workshop with a TEACHER and ASSISTANT

Hands-On Workshop - 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: limit up to 22

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

Pricing and Other Details

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

Fee for the first 15 participants including all materials____$420 +mileage (see below)

Extra participants up to 22 will be charged $7 each for materials.

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

Travel Fee: $0.70/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 ASSISTANT

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

90 min. workshop with a TEACHER and ASSISTANT

Hands-On Workshop - 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: limit up to 22

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

Pricing and Other Details

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

Fee for the first 15 participants including all materials____$420 +mileage (see below)

Extra participants up to 22 will be charged $7 each for materials.

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

• Travel Fee: $0.70/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.

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

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.

• 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