redware dragon by rick hamelin

Pied Potter Hamelin

Pottery Demonstrations, Lectures and Workshops by Master Potter Rick Hamelin

Fun and Interactive Clay Workshops at Your Venue - Learn Pottery Techniques and Create Unique Pieces!

Experience our exclusive Workshops at Your Venue program! Transform any space into a creative haven with our innovative clay forming demonstrations. Join me as I lead you through four unique techniques that will bring out your inner potter. Watch in awe as I craft a charming chicken, a whimsical teapot, and even a mythical dragon on the potter's wheel. Immerse yourself in the rich language of clay as we delve into the artistry of pottery together. These workshops are designed to leave your venue perfectly spotless, no clay remnants will be left behind. Unlock your artistic potential and create unforgettable memories with our workshops!

Fantasy Clay Figures - Hands-On Workshop by Rick HamelinPottery Wheel Demonstration: Explore the World of Teapots with an Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot Workshop

A Time to Spout Off - Teapots from Around the World - Ages: teens, adults

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

This unique workshop brings together the art of pottery and the world of tea in a truly cultural experience. Join Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin, as we explore the rich history of teapots from various cultures around the globe. During this demonstration, I will guide you through the process of creating teapots inspired by the Middle East, the Orient, Europe, and the Americas. Watch as traditional Brown Betty teapots, elegant ring teapots, and even teapots with a surprise animal motif come to life on the potter's wheel. But that's not all! In our hands-on session, you'll have the opportunity to handle freshly made pots straight from the wheel. Feel the distinct textures of both dry and wet pots as they gracefully rotate before you. It's an immersive experience and whether you're a pottery enthusiast, a tea lover, or simply curious about different cultures, this workshop is a wonderful journey of creativity and discovery.

Audience size: unlimited

Book Suggestion: The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See; The Meaning of Tea: A Tea Inspired Journey by Phil Cousineau

Venue requirements:

All Ages Pottery Wheel Demo Program - Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot Workshop

pottery wheel demonstration for children, teens and adultsAmazing Magical Potter’s Wheel - Ages: 5+, teens, adults

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

Captivating pottery wheel demonstration program, perfect for all ages and designed with families in mind. Dive into the world of arts and explore creativity while discovering fascinating pottery techniques enriched by a touch of history. Prepare for a hands-on experience like no other, with Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin, as we pass around freshly made pots from the potter's wheel, allowing you to feel the texture and movement of both dry and wet clay. But that's not all – each participant will have the opportunity to craft their own pinch pot, a unique 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:


Fantasy Clay Figures - Hands-On Workshop by Rick HamelinDragon Sculpting Fun and Short Pottery Wheel Demonstration

Fantasy Clay Figures - Ages: 5+, teens

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

Welcome to our hands-on workshop with a short pottery wheel demonstration! This immersive experience is perfect for anyone looking to explore the art of pottery. During the workshop, 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 of Pied Potter Hamelin will also teach you how to alter your pinch pot into a stunning dragon using coils, pads, and slabs. This workshop is all about creativity and you will leave with a beautiful and personalized dragon.

Audience size: up to 20 participants

Book Suggestion: 5+ Fantasy Characters: Easy-to-Follow Clay-Making Projects in Simple Steps by Bernadette Cuxart

Book Suggestion: Teen Fantasy Creatures in Clay: Techniques for Sculpting Dragons, Griffins and More by Emily Coleman

Venue requirements:

                          Delve into Massachusetts' Pottery Heritage - Join us for a Wheel Demonstration & Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot Workshop!

white and red clay bankThrowing Back - Massachusetts Pottery History - Ages: teens, adults

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

This unique event is filled with tales of the unusual, the unknown and the unpredictable. Have you ever wondered about the Tufts and Cornell families? Or who could possibly be enjoying a cup of tea on the roof? And let's not forget the age-old question - is Boston truly the original Beantown? Join Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin as we delve into the rich pottery legacy of the Commonwealth in this fast-paced and exciting exploration. But wait, there's more! In our hands-on portion, you'll have the opportunity to experience the magic firsthand. Picture yourself passing from person to person a freshly made pot, feeling the texture of a dry and wet pot as it gracefully rotates on the wheel. And that's not all - each participant will have the chance to create their very own pinch pot. Using the simple technique of pinching clay between your thumb and finger, you'll craft a unique unfired cup which  you get to take home with you. Whether you're a pottery enthusiast, history lover, or simply looking for a fun and hands-on experience, this workshop is for you.

Audience size: unlimited

Book Suggestion: The Prophet by Kahil Gibran; Walden Pond by Thoreau; The Ballad of Cassandra Southwick poem by John Greenleaf Whittier; The Autobiography of Edith Guerre; Red Brick, Black Mountain, White Clay by Christopher Benfey

Venue requirements:



Experience the Saturday Evening Girls Studio: Pottery Wheel Demonstration & Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot Workshop

The Librarian and the Saturday Evening Girls, Molding Success One Pot at a Time - Ages: teens, adults

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

Have you ever wondered about the fascinating history of the Paul Revere Pottery Company? Join Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin for an illustrated discussion that dives deep into the individuals behind this renowned pottery studio, originally established by Edith Brown and Edith Guerre in Boston during the early 1900s. Discover the legacy they left behind and learn about their techniques, materials, and products in this captivating demonstration. To enhance your experience, we recommend checking out the historical fiction book, The Saturday Evening Girls by Jane Healey, which is based on the true story of this pottery studio. You can also delve into the fascinating Autobiography of Edith Guerre by Edith Guerre herself. The vividly illustrated discussion will transport you to the world of the SEG (Saturday Evening Girls) and the Paul Revere Pottery, giving you an insider's view of the creators and their masterpieces. But that's not all! The hands-on portion of the workshop allows you to get up close and personal with pottery making. You'll have the unique opportunity to pass a freshly made pot from the potter's wheel from person to person and feeling the transformation of clay from wet to dry as it rotates. Additionally, each participant will get to create their own pinch pot, a cup formed by pinching the clay with your thumb and finger. And the best part? You get to take your masterpiece home!

Audience size: unlimited

Book Suggestion: The Saturday Evening Girls by Jane Healey; The Autobiography of Edith Guerre by Edith Guerre

Venue requirements:

© 2009-24 Pied Potter Hamelin rick@americanredware.com / 413-436-7444 / Design Garine Arakelian

Longmeadow High School pottery demonstration Douglas pottery demonstration

School Programs: Language & Culture Exploration: Hands-on Pottery Wheel Demo and Optional Pinch Pot Workshop

All Languages and Cultures

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

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 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 local potters. Experience the magic of pottery as you witness the potter's wheel in action, passing from person to person a freshly made pot, feeling the texture of both dry and wet clay. You'll also have the opportunity to get hands-on and create your very own pinch pot, a small yet charming cup molded by hand. Take home your unfired masterpiece as a proud reminder of your artistic adventure.

Audience size: unlimited

Venue requirements:


Explore Careers in Pottery: Interactive School Program with Wheel-Thrown Pottery Demonstration & Optional Pinch Pot Workshop

Always Stuck in the Mud

60 min. or 90 min. workshop (see details below)

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, highlighting the diverse career opportunities in today's market. From teaching to museum work and even science, he’s experienced it all! 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 the smooth texture as it rotates in their hands. But that's not all - you'll also get to create your very own pinch pot! Using a ball of clay, you'll shape a unique cup by pinching the clay with your thumb and finger. The unfired masterpiece is yours to take home, a reminder of your artistic adventure.

Audience size: unlimited

Venue requirements:


School Programs: Ancient Pottery Experience for Students - Pottery Wheel Demonstration & Optional and Pinch Pot Workshop

Classical Greek and Roman Pottery

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

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. Moreover, each participant will have the chance to showcase their own creativity by making a pinch pot, a cup made by pinching a ball of clay with their thumb and finger. The unfired pinch 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:


Engaging and Educational Festival Programs

And One Good Turn Deserves Another - Open Air Demonstration

60 min. or 90 min. workshop (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:



From Clay to Poetry: Experience Pottery Wheel Throwing & Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot Making Workshop

All About Poets and Potters (ages: teens, adults)

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

Inspired by the timeless works of Massachusetts' esteemed poets like Longfellow, Whitman, Thoreau, and Gibran, this one-hour program intertwines the craft of pottery with their poetic verses. Marvel at the mesmerizing process of throwing on the pottery wheel as Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin shares historical connections between Massachusetts potters and these literary greats. But the experience doesn't end there. Dive into the tactile wonder of pottery with our hands-on activities. Pass around a freshly made pot from the potter's wheel, feeling the intricate textures of both dry and wet clay as it gracefully rotates. Embrace your creative spirit as each participant crafts their own unique pinch pot, a cup fashioned by gently 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

Book Suggestion: The Prophet by Kahil Gibran; Walden Pond by Thoreau; The Ballad of Cassandra Southwick poem by John Greenleaf Whittier; The Autobiography of Edith Guerre by Edith Guerre; Red Brick, Black Mountain, White Clay by Christopher Benfey

Appropriate For: January - National Mentoring Month; March - Irish American Heritage Month, Women’s History Month,Youth Art Month; May - Jewish American Heritage Month; June - LGBT Pride Month; October - LGBT History Month; National Arts and Humanities Month

Venue requirements:

From Mud to Masterpiece: Pottery Wheel Demonstration and Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot Workshop

Creativity Builds a Better World - Ages: 5+, teens, adults

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

In this exciting program, we aim to connect communities through the art of clay. Join Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin and explore how a better world can be built from this versatile material. During the pottery wheel demonstration, we will delve into the basic concepts of pressure and motion, using simple forms to create a variety of projects. Piece by piece, we will bring pots and creatures to life while sharing stories that celebrate and connect our unique experiences. Unearthing the magic of clay, we will witness how this tiny speck can be transformed into beauty, sturdy structures, or even serve as a vessel for a delicious meal. But the fun doesn't stop there! For those craving a hands-on experience, we offer an optional pinch pottery workshop. Participants will have the opportunity to handle freshly made pots straight from the potter's wheel, feeling the texture of both dry and wet clay as it gracefully rotates. Additionally, each person will create their own pinch pot, a cup made by delicately pinching the clay with their thumb and finger. Join us for an unforgettable experience that bridges communities, celebrates our experiences, and unleashes your inner artist.

Audience size: unlimited

Book Suggestion - children 5 and up: The Little Clay Pot by Cheryl Kincaid; Claymates by Devorah Petty

Book Suggestion - children 10 and up: The Clay Marble by Minfong Ho; Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill and Bryan Collier

Book Suggestion - adults: Red Brick, Black Mountain, White Clay by Christopher Benfry; The Biography of Edith Guerre by Edith Guerre; The Saturday Evening Girls by Jane Healey

Appropriate For: March - Youth Art Month; October - National Arts and Humanities Month

Venue requirements:

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

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

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


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

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


Audience size: unlimited

Mileage Charge: Travel fee will be charged at $0.65/mile round trip. Travel fee is capped at $125 for most programs.  Mileage discounts are available for multiple workshops in the same area.


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:

                          More Stories of Massachusetts' Pottery History - Wheel Demonstration & Optional Hands-On Pinch Pot Workshop!

white and red clay bankPatriots and Potters - Ages: teens, adults

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

Delve into the captivating stories of brave potters who fought valiantly during the Revolutionary War as demonstrated by Master Potter Rick of Pied Potter Hamelin. Our meticulously curated program invites you to explore the trade through our hands-on portion. You'll have the opportunity to experience the magic firsthand! Picture yourself passing from person to person a freshly made pot, feeling the texture of a dry and wet pot as it rotates on the wheel. But wait, there’s more! Each participant will have the chance to create their very own pinch pot. Using the simple technique of pinching clay between your thumb and finger, you'll craft a unique unfired cup which  you get to take home. Whether you're a pottery enthusiast, history lover, or simply looking for a fun and hands-on experience, this workshop is for you.

Audience size: unlimited

Venue requirements: