Visiting Artist 2-Day Workshop: Pinching & Coiling with Giselle Hicks

Join ceramic artist Giselle Hicks for a two-day, hands-on workshop exploring pinching and coiling techniques for building vessels. This fundamental ceramic process is accessible to all skill levels—beginners, intermediate, and advanced makers—allowing participants to create both functional and sculptural forms.

Giselle will begin with an overview of her process and then guide participants through techniques for achieving seamless transitions, angled designs, and dynamic forms. Through demonstrations and one-on-one instruction, students will explore transitional edges, cantilevered planes, and full curves, developing a personal vocabulary in clay. In addition to hands-on making, the workshop will include discussions on building and sustaining a creative practice.

Between demonstrations, participants will have dedicated time to practice the techniques with individual guidance from Giselle. Each student may fire up to two vessels, with additional work available for firing at a fee for non-members. Once bisque-fired, pieces can be glazed on-site and fired to cone 5/6 (students will be notified via email when ready). Alternatively, students may take their bisqueware to glaze and fire in their own studios.

This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your ceramic practice in an inspiring and supportive setting. We hope you’ll join us!

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, Oct 4-5, 10AM – 4PM

Instructor: Giselle Hicks

Giselle Hicks is a ceramic artist based in Helena, Montana, and has been working in clay for 26 years.

She makes hand-pinched vessels inspired by sculpture, paintings, and iconic forms throughout ceramic history. These vessels are formal explorations of shape, volume, color, and composition.

The slow and rhythmic forming process employs few tools, yielding fresh, dynamic silhouettes. The opaque glaze is soft to the touch, and fingerprints remain on the clay surface, celebrating the imperfections and idiosyncrasies of the handmade object. Giselle works with galleries, design shops, and interior design firms to place work in hotels, restaurants, and homes.

Tuition: $385
General membership and above $67.50 (Please use discount code: ICAMEMBERSAVE at checkout)