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 this intensive, you'll not only develop technical skills but also learn how to shape with intention and explore the possibilities of clay. By the end, you'll have crafted personal work, built technical confidence, and gained a deeper appreciation for ceramics.
An 8-week journey shared with a group of 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.
Now enrolling for Winter 2025-2026
“Clay in Practice” with Aubrey Aiese
$750
(originally a $1,337 value)
Sessions take place every Tuesday (6:30-9pm) in our Williamsburg location, from Oct 28 to Dec 16.
“Clay in Practice” Agenda
Session 1
“Design in Clay”
Introduction to techniques, material properties, and design thinking.
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
“Finishing Touches”
Continue working, exploring more design and textural techniques as we prepare for bisque firings.
Session 6
“The Art and Science of Glaze”
Exploring glaze chemistry, application methods, and the unpredictability of the firing process.
Session 7
“Glazing Continued”
Continue working on glazing your piece(s) and learn more glazing tips & tricks!
Session 8
“Showcase Night”
We’ll unveil everyone’s finished pieces, reflect on the journey, and celebrate with bites and bevs served from handmade vessels.
INCLUDED FOR ALL JOURNEYS:
Journey Group Projects!
Collaborate with other Journey members to build together! Two group projects take place each season, usually a ceramics and a board game project, one in each of our locations.
Included in this Intensive:
All tools (basic and advanced) provided
We provide everything you need for each session.
Get access to and learn to use more advanced tools, like a slab roller, glazes, and more to create next-level projects
Complimentary loose-leaf tea is also included in every session.
Personal materials to use at your own pace
At the first session, you’ll receive:
A 12 lb. bag of white stoneware to use at your own pace
10 prepaid firing slips for various sizes
You’ll learn about and learn to control the entire lifecycle of your ceramic pieces, from start to finish (something you don’t get with one-off claydates).
Exclusive storage options
Having storage access is absolutely essential for bigger, more complicated, or intricate projects! Continue to work on pieces over the course of multiple sessions and during any Open Hours. You’ll have access to dedicated shelf space for intensive students to store your pieces between sessions, and learn how to manage moisture levels so they are workable long term.
Our Creative Flow Membership is included for the duration of the Intensive. Freely pop by with your digital membership card and enjoy the space (and Clay Library) during any Open Hours to continue working on your projects, meet up with your group, cowork, and more.
Drawing Room Membership
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 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!
Our team of ceramics instructors
Instructors at Drawing Room are all practicing artists who are passionate about sharing their craft and building community. They have distinct ways of teaching, and we think there’s always something to learn from their distinct styles and practices!
Aubrey teaches workshops, intensives, and leads our ceramics department at Drawing Room! She makes pots with playfully illustrated faces and feelings.
Ivy teaches ceramics workshops and intensives. She’s inspired by the natural world around her—check out her work!
Ayaka Takao
Ayaka teaches ceramics workshops. She works in ceramics, painting, and written word.
Ivy Weinglass
Aubrey Aiese
FAQs
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Yes, of course!
If you are already a member with a payment method on file, please use the same exact email we have on file for your membership.
Since the Creative Flow Membership is included for all Journey participants, you’ll be prorated for any days not covered by the journey, and these days will be added back at the end of the journey. This means you will not be charged again until you’ve used all the days you’ve paid for last, before signing up for a journey. (Don’t worry, we do the math for you).
Please reach out to our team at info@nycdrawingroom.com with any questions, or for help enrolling
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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!