Clay in Practice
Clay holds the imprint of our hands—a tangible record of touch, intention, and transformation. Learn to shape, build, and express with confidence as you discover the language of ceramics.
At Drawing Room, we believe working with clay begins with touch, observation, and an understanding of form. Ceramics are everywhere in our daily lives—both functional objects and art that can last thousands of years. This medium is magical, combining utility with the potential for pure creative expression.
Throughout the intensive, you'll not only develop technical skills but also learn how to shape with intention and explore the material's possibilities. By the end, you'll have crafted personal work, built technical confidence, and gained a deeper appreciation for ceramics as both a functional medium and an art form.
A 6-week journey, shared with a group of up to 16 people, with thoughtful conversation, a group project, and a celebratory dinner.
Each session of this intensive builds on the last…they flow together to form a cohesive experience. Open to all levels, beginners and beyond.
Sessions in this Intensive
Session 1
“Design in Clay”
Introduction to techniques, material properties, and design thinking. Hands-on projects begin with pinch pots and coil work.
Session 2
“Coils & Connections”
Constructing larger forms, exploring function, ergonomics, and design.
Session 3
“Surface & Form”
Refining forms, introducing slab techniques, and surface design applications.
Session 4
“Putting It All Together”
Integrating learned techniques, developing surface design skills, and preparing for bisque firing.
Session 5
“The Art and Science of Glaze”
Exploring glaze chemistry, application methods, and the unpredictability of the firing process.
Session 6
“Show & Tell Party”
We’ll unveil everyone’s finished pieces, reflect on the creative journey, and celebrate with food and drink from handmade vessels.
Bonus Session!
“Our Group Project”
An opportunity to dive deeper into ceramics as an art form, exchange ideas, and collaborate on a special group project in clay!
Also included…
All materials provided
We provide everything you need to enjoy the workshops. On the first day you’ll receive:
Your own ~12 pound bag of white stoneware that you can keep at Drawing Room and use during the intensive
Firing slips for 10 pieces
Essential tool kit for use throughout the course
Studio membership options for continued practice
Complimentary loose-leaf tea is also included in every session.
Exclusive Groups & Activities
The sessions in this intensive are not open to the public. You can expect to see the same group each session and share a one-of-a-kind experience with them!
Each session builds on the last, so we highly recommend attending each and every one!
Drawing Room Membership
You’ll have access to Drawing Room via our Membership Lite for the duration of the Intensive. Freely pop by with your digital membership card and enjoy the space during any Open Hours to meet up with your group, cowork, use the Art Library, and more.
Drawing Room Instructors
The artists teaching in this Intensive are also involved in other programming at Drawing Room! If you really love their teaching style or creative practice, you’ll be able to stay in touch!
Enroll for an upcoming
“Clay in Practice”
May-June 2025 Session
with Aubrey Aiese,
at Drawing Room Brooklyn
Session 1: Wed, May 14 from 6:30-9:30pm
Session 2: Wed, May 21 from 6:30-9:30pm
Our Group Project: Sun, May 25 from 7-9:30pm
Session 3: Wed, May 28 from 6:30-9:30p
Session 4: Wed, June 4 from 6:30-9:30pm
Session 5: Wed, June 11 from 6:30-9:30pm
Session 6: Wed, June 18 from 6:30-9:30pm
$670
A $1,079 value
FAQs
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Yes, of course! Please use the same exact email we have on file for your membership.
If you are already a member with a payment method on file:
Drawing Room Membership Lite:
The Membership Lite is included in our cohort program, so you won’t be charged for renewal until the end of the cohort. You’ll be prorated for any days not covered by the cohort program; these will be added to the end of the cohort after Showcase Night.
You retain all the benefits of the Membership Lite (like unlimited Open Hours, 15% discount, guest passes) from the day you sign up, through to the end of the cohort.
Drawing Room Membership:
The same thing applies to you, except you retain the one guest pass per month with the Art Library, and even the two (additional) workshops per month. (You can take more workshops on top of the cohort, or use them for a friend to join you).
Please note that you have to have paid for at least one month of this Membership tier before your cohort enrollment in order to qualify to retain your benefits.
For example, if you signed up as a member on Dec 1, and the cohort runs Dec 16-March 2 (from Orientation to Showcase), you will retain Membership privileges until March 17th, which includes prorated days from your signup date. You’ll be scheduled and charged for renewal on March 17th.
If you sign up for a cohort after that, you will remain on the same Membership tier until the second cohort is over, and prorated days added after that one is over.
This means you can’t upgrade your membership from the Lite tier during your cohort.
Note that this option gets you a discount – you’re effectively getting the regular Membership at the price of the Lite tier!
Please reach out to our team at info@nycdrawingroom.com to enroll.
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If you aren’t able to make one of the dates, we will be able to share the lesson plan for the day with you and encourage you to complete the assignment so that you will be prepared for the discussions in the subsequent session.
Unlike the Cohort Program, each session builds on the last, so it’s important to try to make each one! There are currently no make-up days available due to the nature of our programming availability.
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Yes! We offer interest-free payment plans via Klarna. Simply select that option on the payment page.
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Intensive workshops are not open to the public and are exclusive to your group.
You can expect to see the familiar faces of your Intensive members in each of these classes, and you'll get first dibs and get to sign up for any future journeys at Drawing Room.
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All enrollments are final. Please double check your calendar.
However, if you find you are unable to join us for the program for whatever reason after booking, you can let us know at least 7 days before the first session to get credits for a future program date. The credits cannot be individually transferred to events, they must be used in one go for the same program at a future date.
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Absolutely!
There’s so much to learn each time you participate in an Intensive, and they’re open level, so you are encouraged to work with the instructors to push yourself.
Plus, each Intensive is a new opportunity to make new friends and share an experience with a tight knit group of people!
If after an Intensive (or two) you find you’re ready to explore other mediums or want to dive deep into another medium, you can explore our other journeys – you’ll get first dibs!
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We’d recommend you take them one at a time! Each of our journeys are designed to be a comprehensive experience. While participating in multiple (Cohort Program AND an Intensive, for example) is not impossible, you may find yourself at Drawing Room a LOT!! Which, we’d love, but may be intense!
For context, through the Cohort Program you can expect to be at Drawing Room and average of 1-2 times per week, and the Intensive is an average of once per week.
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All levels are welcome and will find these sessions applicable! Whether you’re:
Super new to clay or have never even touched it
Just starting out, have maybe taken one Claydate or similar workshops elsewhere
More experienced and already have a practice
Intensives are designed to both be a great entry point but also offer a repeatable structure that emphasizes community and growth in skills among fellow creatives who love the medium. See you here soon!