Communing with Clay – Clay Camp
With Alli Olson
July 18 - 23, 2027
Join us for one of Adamah’s longest-standing and most beloved traditions: Communing with Clay – Clay Camp! Clay Camp brings together high school students and adults for an immersive week of making, learning, experimenting, and building community through clay.
Led by Alli Olson, Alli takes time to make sure all participants’ individual goals are met for the week. Taking time to mix group instruction with plenty of one-on-one instructions to meet everyone’s personalized goals for the week. Participants will have opportunities to explore wheel throwing, handbuilding, sculpture, surface decoration, and other ceramic processes while also having the freedom to work on individual growth goals.
Throughout the week, participants will enhance their skills and explore new techniques through artist demonstrations, group celebrations, collaborative activities, one-on-one instruction, and plenty of extended studio time. Whether you’re just beginning your journey with clay or already have years of experience, instructors will meet you at your skill level and help you explore new approaches to your work.
Extended, productive days in the studio are part of the Clay Camp experience—but so are community, collaboration, and fun. Participants will create alongside artists of different ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, learning as much from one another as they do from formal demonstrations.
And because this is Clay Camp, the week isn’t all serious studio work! Group challenges, games, collaborative activities, and favorite Clay Camp traditions bring plenty of laughter and friendly competition into the studio. Don’t worry, Alli makes sure the “forced fun” is a good time for all ages!
Outside of scheduled instruction, participants can continue working in the studio, hike Adamah’s beautiful trails, explore the surrounding landscape, and spend time with fellow “campers.”
Come ready to make lots of work, learn something new, share what you know, and experience what happens when clay and community come together.
Important Information
- This workshop is intended for high school students and adults.
- Participants of all experience levels are welcome.
- Bagged clay will be available for purchase if desired.
- Participants are encouraged to take advantage of extended studio time throughout the week.
Clay Camp is intentionally multi-generational. Participants should come ready to learn, collaborate, and create alongside artists of different ages and experience levels.
Materials To Bring
- Participants are welcome to bring their favorite personal pottery tools if desired.
- Sketchbook for demonstration notes and brainstorming
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Schedule:
Sunday
- 4:00–5:00 PM: Check-In at Adamah Retreat Center
- 5:00–6:00 PM: Welcome Dinner
- 6:00–7:00 PM: Studio Introduction & Workshop Orientation
- 7:00 PM–Evening: Get Settled/Open Studio
Monday
- 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction
- 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00–5:00 PM: Studio Instruction & Individual Projects
- 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
- 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio/Hiking/Explore
Tuesday
- 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction & Demonstrations
- 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00–5:00 PM: Collaborative Projects, Individual Instruction & Studio Time
- 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
- 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio/Hiking/Explore
Wednesday
- 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction
- 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00–5:00 PM: Studio Instruction
- 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
- 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio/Hiking/Explore
Thursday
- 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction, Demonstrations & Final Projects
- 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00–5:00 PM: Final Making, Critiques & Individual Instruction
- 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
- 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio Time/Hiking/Explore
Friday
- 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00–11:00 AM: Final Studio Time, Group Critique & Clay Camp Wrap-Up
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Clean-Up, Group Photo & Workshop Review
- 12:00 PM: Clay Camp Ends
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