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Wild Clay and Alternate Firings Exploration (Saturdays, April 4 - May 9) - Spring 2026
Wild Clay and Alternate Firings Exploration (Saturdays, April 4 - May 9) - Spring 2026
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- Explore wild, locally sourced clay by foraging, processing, and testing raw materials to understand ceramics from their natural origins.
- Practice handbuilding techniques and surface preparation while designing forms for experimental and alternative firing methods.
- Develop a foundational understanding of non-traditional ceramic processes through oxidation, obvara, and pit firing, gaining insight into atmospheric effects and material behavior.
In this six-week class, students will explore ceramics from the ground up by working with wild, locally sourced clay and multiple alternative firing methods. Participants will forage for clay both on and off campus, learning how to identify, process, and test raw materials for use in ceramic work.
Using handbuilding techniques, students will create forms specifically designed for experimental firing. Instruction will cover clay testing, shrinkage, and absorption, as well as surface preparation for different firing environments. Finished work will be fired using a combination of oxidation firing, obvara firing, and pit firing, offering students a broad introduction to non-traditional ceramic processes and atmospheric effects.
This class is open to all skill levels and is ideal for students curious about material origins, process-driven work, and experimental approaches to ceramics. By the end of the session, students will have a deeper understanding of clay as a natural material and firsthand experience with multiple alternative firing techniques.
Instructor: Helena Westra
Date(s): Saturday, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, and 9
Time: 10AM-1PM
Tuition: Non-member $365, General membership and above $330
(Please use discount code: ICAMEMBERSAVE at checkout)
Instructor Bio:
Helena Westra (b. Holland, Michigan) is a sculptor and interdisciplinary artist based in San Diego, California. Working with clay, soil, and other natural and found materials, she is a creator of objects, installations, and performance. Her practice centers around belonging, ancestral connection, and the cyclical phenomena of both land and body.
Westra has exhibited at the Athenaeum Art Center, Quint Gallery, and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and her work has been supported by residencies and teaching engagements throughout Southern California. She is a 2025 Windgate-Lamar Fellow.
Westra received her AA in Studio Art from MiraCosta College in 2022 and her BA in Sculpture from San Diego State University in 2025.
Note that all classes are subject to minimum enrollment. Enrolling early prevents classes from being canceled, and ensures your placement in them!
Cancelation/Refund Policy: Cancel up to 7 days before the start of class for a full refund. Cancellations less than 7 days before the start of class are ineligible for refund.
Interested in deepening your ceramics knowledge? This class forms part of the ICA Ceramics Certificate Program course sequence. To learn more and save on ICA courses, click here.
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