2026 Hands in Clay Workshops Series
Welcome to our Hands in Clay Workshops — a year-long journey of creative, grounding sessions for adults and young makers. Across our three inspiring locations, with The Yass Visual Arts Society in the country town of Yass, The Malbon in Bungendore, and Gumtree Wellness Studio in Murrumbateman — we offer a variety of workshop series to explore the endless possibilities of clay.
From the garden-inspired Songs of the Garden series to the floral textures explored in the Whispers of Wildflowers series, and the mindful, grounding forms of the Grounded in Clay series, each collection unfolds through a number of workshops released gradually throughout the year.
Each session gently guides you through hand-building, shaping, and surface techniques. Whether you’re a beginner or a returning maker, our workshops offer a mindful escape — a chance to slow down, connect with clay, and create pieces that are both functional and beautiful.
Join us throughout the year as each series evolves, inviting you back to get your hands dirty and take home creations made with care, intention, and joy.
We are also available to host private workshops for small groups seeking a more intimate making experience. More details at the bottom of the page.
-
Slip and Stillness Bowls / Grounded in Clay Series
Gumtree Wellness Studio, Murrumbateman
Saturday 2nd May 2-4pm
The second workshop in our Grounded in Clay series, Slip & Stillness invites you to slow down and create three hand-built bowls with intention and care.
Guided step by step, you’ll shape, refine, and decorate your bowls using mindful techniques with clay slip that celebrate simplicity and touch.
Beautiful wooden stamps will be available to help you add delicate marks and rhythm to your designs, offering an easy, tactile way to bring character and depth to each piece.
Your piece will then be bisque fired, finished with a glossy glaze of your choice, and glaze fired to create a durable, food-safe bowls ready for everyday use or display.
Perfect for beginners and returning makers, this workshop is a peaceful pause in the day—an opportunity to work with your hands, connect with clay, and create bowls that carry a sense of stillness long after they leave the studio.
-
Whispers of The Garden Tea Bowls / Songs of the Garden Series
The Malbon, Bungendore
Sunday 31st May 3-5pm
Step into a world where nature, rhythm, and clay come together. In our second Songs of the Garden workshop at The Malbon, we invite you to explore the gentle art of making Whispers of the Garden tea bowls—two pieces inspired by the quiet textures, shapes, and colors of the garden.
You will learn to handcraft two tea bowls that carry the spirit of the garden in both form and surface, connecting mindful practice with creative expression.
Whether you are drawn to the tactile experience of clay, the quiet ritual of making, or simply want a moment of pause, this workshop is designed to nurture curiosity, presence, and joy.
Once the form is complete, it will be ready to be dried, bisque fired and glazed with a glossy glaze of your choice .
Join us at The Malbon and let your hands translate the whispers of the garden into clay.
-
Lotus Candle Holders / Grounded in Clay Series
Gumtree Wellness Studio, Murrumbateman
Saturday 27th June 2-4pm
This gentle, hands-on workshop invites you to slow down and create two lotus candle holders in clay. Inspired by the quiet symmetry of the lotus, each piece is shaped petal by petal, encouraging a calm, rhythmic approach to making.
Guided step by step, you’ll learn simple hand-building techniques to form layered petals and refine your pieces, creating soft, sculptural forms that hold both light and intention. The process is unhurried and meditative, offering space to focus, connect, and create with care.
Suitable for beginners and those returning to clay, all materials and tools are provided. Your candle holders will be dried, glazed, and kiln-fired, ready to bring a warm, gentle glow into your home.
Part of our Grounded in Clay series at Gumtree Wellness, this workshop is an invitation to pause, work with your hands, and create something both beautiful and meaningful.
We offer a selection of private workshop experiences for Yass and surrounding areas.
Each workshop is calm, hands-on, and tailored to your creative interests. Whether shared with friends or family, these small group sessions provide a relaxed space to explore clay, learn new skills, and create meaningful handmade pieces.
We supply all clay and tools for up to 11 guests, and can offer a local venue or bring the workshop to your home or work place. A minimum of 6 attendees applies.
Workshops run for approximately 2.5–3 hours, depending on your chosen pottery experience. This allows time for a relaxed 30-minute morning or afternoon tea break, provided by you.
All pieces are left overnight to dry and are then brought back to our studio for final firing and glazing in a choice of colours.
Contact us for available dates.
Private Workshops
Blossom Curves Workshop, a gentle 2 hour hand building session exploring soft, petal-like forms in clay inspired by natural flow and movement. $150 per person, ages 15 and over only
Whispers of the Garden Tea Bowls, held in two handmade tea bowls in a 2 hour, calm hands-on workshop inviting you to slow down, shape clay and create something quietly meaningful. $125 per adult, ages 14 and under $80
Meadow Platter Workshop, a 2 hour hand building session inspired by open fields and natural textures, creating generous organic serving forms in clay. $150 per person, ages 15 and over only
Slip Design Bowls, a 2 hour focused hand building session creating a set of three coordinating bowls exploring form, texture and slip decorating in clay. $125 per adult, ages 14 and under $80
Bird Making Workshop, a 2 hour hand building session creating a clay bird and finishing them with expressive underglaze colour and detail. $125 per adult, ages 14 and under $80
Lotus Candles Workshop, a 2 hour quiet, hands- on workshop where you create two lotus candle holders shaped slowly petal by petal, inviting you to pause and make something calm and considered. $150 per person, ages 15 and over only
Art of the Vase Workshop, a 3 hour hand building session focused on creating sculptural, functional vessels with flowing organic form in clay. $170 per person, ages 15 and over only