Intuitive Handbuilding in Clay

Discover new approaches to handbuilding in clay with a focus on making colourful ceramic vessels and objects using experimental techniques to push the boundaries of the form. Learn to work with a range of techniques including pinching, stacking, joining, coiling and slab constructions.

Holly Macdonald encourages you to harness your intuition to allow the form to emerge, leading to new possibilities in the way you think about clay as a sculptural form. You will utilise slip decoration and glazing techniques over multiple firings to achieve surprising results and unexpected outcomes.

Open to students of all levels of experience in ceramics.

*Please note: The course is not held on Saturday 7 September due to the NAS Open Day. The course will continue the following Saturday on 14
September. You are welcome to attend the NAS Open Day with friends, family and colleagues.

*NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students from ages 15 years and over.

Holly Macdonald initially studied architecture and engineering before discovering a passion for ceramics. Her creative practice combines handbuilding in clay with installation, drawing, and interdisciplinary collaboration to explore the relationship between material, place and maker. Holly has exhibited work throughout Australia including solo exhibitions at Lake Macquarie's Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima and Sabbia Gallery and Firstdraft, both in Warang/ Sydney. In 2023 her work was included in Maitland Regional Art Gallery’s major exhibition Upriver Downriver and TERRA NOVA: 70 years of Sturt Pottery at Sturt Gallery. Recent
collaborative outcomes include the premiere of participatory performance, Personal Space, with contemporary dancer and choreographer Rosslyn Wythes at The 16th Australian Ceramics Triennale in Mparntwe/ Alice Springs. She has been a finalist
in awards including the North Queensland Ceramic Award and the Gold Coast International Ceramic Award and in 2022 was awarded winner of the Brenda Clouten Memorial Art Scholarships.  As well as maintaining a studio practice, she teaches ceramics and has contributed time and enthusiasm to organisations such as The Australian Ceramics Association and kil.n.it Experimental Ceramics, Sydney. She is a graduate of the National Art School and holds an Honours degree in Fine Art (First Class) from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

For the first class bring:

• Notebook & pen
• Protective clothing (such as old shirt or apron)
• Any handbuilding tools that you may already have. You will be provided with a list of suggested tools after the first class.

All clay and other materials are provided.

Enclosed footwear is essential.