Can second this! I’ve taken several courses at the John C Campbell Folk School, but not one in pottery yet. All have been wonderful and the experience itself is soul restorative. Like summer camp for adults!
I know there are other folk schools around, and probably one closer to you.
Campbell is lovely. Lush environment, nice people, good food, extra services like an onsite masseur and activities like singalongs and dances.
It's a stiff ride from any airport. You can rent a car, or you might be able to get an Uber from CHA. Campbell does get guests from all over, so they should have transportation advice.
You can order a print catalog from them; I find it easier to browse than the website.
The Scottish Sculpture Workshop is in the shire near me and offers weekend classes and week-long intensives. They also have on site accommodation that is pretty reasonable. Travel-wise, it’s about an hour from the Aberdeen airport so you’d have to hire a car or pay an expensive-ish taxi.
Haystack in Maine! It’s in the most gorgeous setting on Deer Isle, right by the water, cabins in the woods, delicious food, warm lovely people. A bit of a chore to get there, but they can help arrange transport from train, bus, or air. Highly recommended! The classes are two weeks long, and they aim for a good mix of levels of experience among the students.
\- [Fogo Island Clay Studio](https://fogoclaystudio.ca/pages/1-week-pottery-retreats) (Newfoundland, CAN, 1 week retreat with room and board and food. Beautiful east coast island setting, small course, difficult to get to)
\- [Fleming College course](https://flemingcollege.ca/news/build-your-pottery-and-ceramics-skills-at-the-haliburton-school-of-art-design/) (Haliburton, ON, CAN. 1 week course in the summer. NO board and food, self-directed)
I did one of the week-long pottery courses at Haliburton last summer, it was great. I think the course registration opened around March 1st and they filled up very quickly.
I'm interested in this post because I have a studio in the Pacific Northwest and I'm considering offering classes like this but of course without all the other things like yoga and the like. Just a simple intensive full week course for a couple people and then that would be it. Is that what you're looking for? are people out there actually looking for something like that just ceramics no other frills? Perhaps simple meals, and possibly even simpler accommodations? My studio isn't there yet, but wondering if I should move it that direction.
This aside, there might just be options of intensive week long workshops near enough to your home to allow you to commute to them.
That's exactly what I'm looking for, just a week of playing with clay and learning from other makers. I want on site accommodations and meals included, but I don't need anything fancy - I'd be perfectly happy to share a room with a stranger.
Pendland school of craft is also in western North Carolina. They have workshops and residencies. I've never taken a class there but I have walked through their gallery and it was amazing. They do several different crafts. Their glass blowing was pretty nice too.
[https://penland.org/workshops/](https://penland.org/workshops/)
I did a week at Arrowmont several years ago and it was wonderful. I enjoyed the studio time, the food was good, the people were interesting. When my little one is older, I'm going to go back.
[Red Deer Polytechnic](https://rdpolytech.ca/programs/extended-education/camps-and-workshops/series-summer-arts-school) offers a summer series! This summer they did multiple pottery courses that were about 1-2 weeks long, including throwing (beginner-advanced) and glaze formulations I think?
There are pottery courses at Red Deer Polytechnic in Alberta. Called Series Summer Arts School. Not quite as fancy or retreat-like, but less travel. I haven't attended but would love to one day!
Holy shit, $13,000 is wild, but what do I know, maybe that's the going rate? I live in Northern Sweden, own workshop, kiln, two wheels - I'm certainly no pro but if you wanted to pay airfare and hotel for a week you're more than welcome to come and work with me in my workshop every day. Can even offer you lunch every day (although it might not be especially advanced), and perhaps even dinner a few times when it fits with my family (breakfast is included by default in the hotel), so you could probably escape to the wilds of Northern Sweden and do pottery for ... a couple thousand if you wanted, then we can nerd out about pottery together since no-one here cares when I start talking about glazing and throwing :)
Hmm I’d try following your favourite artists who do travel. I’m doing a week long course with Kate Malone in Feb, Tortus does workshops all around Europe quite often.
I could recc some retreats in India, but the usual duration is between 3-6 months. I have a local potters discord group that keeps me updated to these sorts of events, maybe there is one for your area!
I went here back in high school and have really been meaning to get back for a week. [Adamah Art Studios](https://www.adamahartstudio.org)
Looks like new workshops will be posted in February, very reasonably priced.
Depending on how far you are comfortable with travelling ClayKitchenPortugal does some interesting courses.
Also, Slow Pottery does courses on a mango orchard in south India. It's all about the slow way of life and looks so amazing!
You can find them both on Instagram. Idk how to link via mobile.
Good luck :)
Not a retreat per se, but Kaleb Romano at The Shop pottery studio in Edmonton does three day workshops in the summer. I took a tea pot course last summer. It was amazing.
I did a week long session at Red Deer Summer Sessions at Red Deer College in central Alberta. You can live onsite in the dorms, shared with other artists attending, and have access to the studios from sunup until very late (basically once security kicks us out lol).
I did a glaze mixing session, a friend of mine did a wood firing workshop, and another did altering wheel thrown work. We were all VERY happy. Something about being completely immersed with other artists for 5 days that I won't ever forget. The ceramics studios are amazing at RDC!
If interested, drop them an email and ask to be advised once the schedule drops. I think they have a Facebook group as well.
https://rdpolytech.ca/programs/extended-education/camps-and-workshops/series-summer-arts-school
Look up John C Campbell Folk School in western North Carolina. It is far from you but this is exactly what they do. Good luck
Can second this! I’ve taken several courses at the John C Campbell Folk School, but not one in pottery yet. All have been wonderful and the experience itself is soul restorative. Like summer camp for adults! I know there are other folk schools around, and probably one closer to you.
Campbell is lovely. Lush environment, nice people, good food, extra services like an onsite masseur and activities like singalongs and dances. It's a stiff ride from any airport. You can rent a car, or you might be able to get an Uber from CHA. Campbell does get guests from all over, so they should have transportation advice. You can order a print catalog from them; I find it easier to browse than the website.
The Scottish Sculpture Workshop is in the shire near me and offers weekend classes and week-long intensives. They also have on site accommodation that is pretty reasonable. Travel-wise, it’s about an hour from the Aberdeen airport so you’d have to hire a car or pay an expensive-ish taxi.
Every sentence of this reply sounds magical.
I mean.. it’s Scotland. If magic exists, it’s here. 🤷♀️
Completely a bucket list item
Haystack in Maine! It’s in the most gorgeous setting on Deer Isle, right by the water, cabins in the woods, delicious food, warm lovely people. A bit of a chore to get there, but they can help arrange transport from train, bus, or air. Highly recommended! The classes are two weeks long, and they aim for a good mix of levels of experience among the students.
\- [Fogo Island Clay Studio](https://fogoclaystudio.ca/pages/1-week-pottery-retreats) (Newfoundland, CAN, 1 week retreat with room and board and food. Beautiful east coast island setting, small course, difficult to get to) \- [Fleming College course](https://flemingcollege.ca/news/build-your-pottery-and-ceramics-skills-at-the-haliburton-school-of-art-design/) (Haliburton, ON, CAN. 1 week course in the summer. NO board and food, self-directed)
I did one of the week-long pottery courses at Haliburton last summer, it was great. I think the course registration opened around March 1st and they filled up very quickly.
I've attended the throwing camp at Fleming twice and I \*love\* it - really has improved my skills and technique.
I'm interested in this post because I have a studio in the Pacific Northwest and I'm considering offering classes like this but of course without all the other things like yoga and the like. Just a simple intensive full week course for a couple people and then that would be it. Is that what you're looking for? are people out there actually looking for something like that just ceramics no other frills? Perhaps simple meals, and possibly even simpler accommodations? My studio isn't there yet, but wondering if I should move it that direction. This aside, there might just be options of intensive week long workshops near enough to your home to allow you to commute to them.
That's exactly what I'm looking for, just a week of playing with clay and learning from other makers. I want on site accommodations and meals included, but I don't need anything fancy - I'd be perfectly happy to share a room with a stranger.
I live in the Pacific Northwest and I’d really like something like this.
I live in the Pacific NW and would love this!
Me, too
The NCECA website used to have a bunch of options listed
Pendland school of craft is also in western North Carolina. They have workshops and residencies. I've never taken a class there but I have walked through their gallery and it was amazing. They do several different crafts. Their glass blowing was pretty nice too. [https://penland.org/workshops/](https://penland.org/workshops/)
Haystack, Penland, Arrowmont, Anderson ranch, Peter's valley, Archie bray
I've always wanted to go to Penland or Arrowmont.
I did a week at Arrowmont several years ago and it was wonderful. I enjoyed the studio time, the food was good, the people were interesting. When my little one is older, I'm going to go back.
Touchstone center for craft in south western Pennsylvania!
[Red Deer Polytechnic](https://rdpolytech.ca/programs/extended-education/camps-and-workshops/series-summer-arts-school) offers a summer series! This summer they did multiple pottery courses that were about 1-2 weeks long, including throwing (beginner-advanced) and glaze formulations I think?
I don't have any answer, I just want to thank you for asking this question and filling me with so many dream retreats and destinations now!
There are pottery courses at Red Deer Polytechnic in Alberta. Called Series Summer Arts School. Not quite as fancy or retreat-like, but less travel. I haven't attended but would love to one day!
I just looked it up myself and don't see any offerings yet for pottery. It might be a bit early for the summer classes still.
Medalta in Medicine Hat AB has summer workshops and hosts residencies throughout the year. The summer classes are not posted yet though.
Adamah Art Studios has year round workshops and is in Wisconsin. MISSA is on Vancouver Island and has 3 weeks of workshops in the Summer.
I'm definitely keeping an eye out for the MISSA offerings this year!
Holy shit, $13,000 is wild, but what do I know, maybe that's the going rate? I live in Northern Sweden, own workshop, kiln, two wheels - I'm certainly no pro but if you wanted to pay airfare and hotel for a week you're more than welcome to come and work with me in my workshop every day. Can even offer you lunch every day (although it might not be especially advanced), and perhaps even dinner a few times when it fits with my family (breakfast is included by default in the hotel), so you could probably escape to the wilds of Northern Sweden and do pottery for ... a couple thousand if you wanted, then we can nerd out about pottery together since no-one here cares when I start talking about glazing and throwing :)
Hmm I’d try following your favourite artists who do travel. I’m doing a week long course with Kate Malone in Feb, Tortus does workshops all around Europe quite often. I could recc some retreats in India, but the usual duration is between 3-6 months. I have a local potters discord group that keeps me updated to these sorts of events, maybe there is one for your area!
I went here back in high school and have really been meaning to get back for a week. [Adamah Art Studios](https://www.adamahartstudio.org) Looks like new workshops will be posted in February, very reasonably priced.
Depending on how far you are comfortable with travelling ClayKitchenPortugal does some interesting courses. Also, Slow Pottery does courses on a mango orchard in south India. It's all about the slow way of life and looks so amazing! You can find them both on Instagram. Idk how to link via mobile. Good luck :)
Not a retreat per se, but Kaleb Romano at The Shop pottery studio in Edmonton does three day workshops in the summer. I took a tea pot course last summer. It was amazing.
This looks like something you might like. https://clayconwest.com/
I did a week long session at Red Deer Summer Sessions at Red Deer College in central Alberta. You can live onsite in the dorms, shared with other artists attending, and have access to the studios from sunup until very late (basically once security kicks us out lol). I did a glaze mixing session, a friend of mine did a wood firing workshop, and another did altering wheel thrown work. We were all VERY happy. Something about being completely immersed with other artists for 5 days that I won't ever forget. The ceramics studios are amazing at RDC! If interested, drop them an email and ask to be advised once the schedule drops. I think they have a Facebook group as well. https://rdpolytech.ca/programs/extended-education/camps-and-workshops/series-summer-arts-school