Building Sculptural Vessels - a Hand Building Masterclass

videocamLIVE STREAMING

A live masterclass in large-scale symmetrical coil building


Casey Anne St John
Casey Anne St John
Instagram followers 11k followers
5.0 (1)

3.5 hours Class size 1 to 50 guests   $110 (Afterpay available)
Online Classes
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Clay Sculpture & Hand Building Experience Gifts
Chapter 1 — Materials, preparation and foundations

Chapter 1 — Materials, Preparation and Foundations

Clay selection, tools, consistency, preparing the work area, establishing the base and planning the vessel's proportions.


Chapter 2 — Building the first quarter

Chapter 2 — Building the First Quarter

Attaching and joining coils, managing moisture, maintaining wall thickness and establishing the form's symmetry.


Chapter 3 — Building height and controlling the form

Chapter 3 — Building Height and Controlling the Form

Using your prepared half-built vessel to demonstrate how you manage weight, support the walls, correct distortions and keep the silhouette balanced.


Chapter 4 — Refining the silhouette and finishing the build

Chapter 4 — Refining the Silhouette and Finishing the Build

Shaping the shoulders, neck and rim, refining the profile, checking balance and preparing the vessel for drying.


Chapter 5 — Drying, firing and finishing

Chapter 5 — Drying, Firing and Finishing

Drying strategies, kiln loading, your firing schedules, glaze choices, materials, common failures and the use of epoxies for appropriate repairs or assembly.


Building Sculptural Vessels
A live masterclass in large-scale symmetrical coil building
How do you build a tall, sculptural ceramic vessel entirely by hand — and keep it balanced, symmetrical and structurally sound as it grows?
Join ceramic artist Casey Anne St John for an in-depth masterclass exploring the techniques behind her distinctive hand-built vessels.
Rather than simply watching a finished piece come to life, you'll be taken through the major stages of construction using vessels prepared at different points in the building process. From establishing a strong foundation to developing height, refining the silhouette and preparing the finished form for firing, Casey will share the techniques, decisions and problem-solving that underpin her practice.
This class is designed for curious makers at different stages of their ceramic journey. Whether you're new to sculptural coil building or already have experience with clay and want to develop your technical skills, you'll gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to work on a larger scale.
Your learning experience
This is a demonstration-led class rather than a make-along workshop. Casey will work through each major stage using prepared vessels, allowing you to see the process in detail without needing to build an entire large vessel during the session.
The class will run live online, with dedicated opportunities to ask questions after each chapter. You'll be able to learn directly from Casey's experience, ask about specific challenges in your own practice and revisit the material afterwards through the class recording.
What's included
  • Approximately three hours of live teaching, followed by questions.
  • Access to the class recording after the session.
  • A downloadable PDF reference guide covering materials, tools, clay and glaze information, firing schedules and practical troubleshooting.
  • An opportunity to learn directly from an artist working with large-scale, hand-built sculptural ceramics.
Who is this class for?
Anyone interested in understanding the construction of large, hand-built ceramic vessels. No previous experience with large-scale coil building is required, although some familiarity with clay will help you put the techniques into practice.
You don't need to work alongside Casey during the session. Come ready to observe, take notes and ask questions.
Please note: This class focuses on vessel construction, materials, drying, firing and finishing considerations. Detailed sprig-making, mould-making and ornamental surface decoration are not included in this session.
You'll leave with a clearer understanding of how large symmetrical vessels are built, a practical reference guide and techniques to explore in your own studio practice.
Your ticket includes the live three-hour masterclass, a dedicated Q&A, eight weeks of recording access, and a downloadable handbook to support your own practice.

Upcoming dates for Building Sculptural Vessels - a Hand Building Masterclass

Times are Sydney time. Dates and prices as of 22 Oct 2026, 1:36pm; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

1 upcoming date between 13 Dec 2026 and 13 Dec 2026.

  • Sun 13 Dec 2026, 9am-12:30pm
Knowledge required
No advanced skills are required. Some familiarity with clay and basic ceramic techniques will be helpful, but curious beginners are welcome. This is a demonstration-led masterclass, so you don't need to work alongside Casey during the session. Whether you're just beginning to explore hand-building or are an experienced ceramic artist looking to develop your technical skills, you'll find ideas and techniques to take into your own practice.
What to bring
A reliable internet connection, a notebook and pen if you'd like to take notes, and yourself!
Set yourself up somewhere comfortable, with a little space to settle in, concentrate and enjoy the class. Think cosy studio vibes, your favourite chair, a cup of tea, and water and snacks within reach.
We'll have a brief intermission halfway through, so you can stretch your legs, refresh your drink and take a moment before we dive back in.
You won't need any clay, tools or ceramic equipment for this demonstration-led masterclass — just come ready to learn and be inspired!

FAQ

What's Included?
Your ticket includes the live three-hour masterclass, a dedicated Q&A, eight weeks of recording access, and a downloadable handbook to support your own practice.
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Your teacher

Casey Anne St John
Casey Anne St John

5.0 (1)
Instagram followers 11k followers
female Women-owned

I'm Casey, a ceramic artist based in Bundeena, just south of Cronulla, NSW, in the Sydney Royal National Park.
My journey with clay began in 2016–17, when I took ceramics as part of my architecture studies. What started as an exploration of material and form gradually became something much more personal. After losing my dad, making became a way for me to work through grief, reconnect with myself, and find meaning in the things I create. I've been working with clay for nearly a decade, and it's become an integral part of how I understand and experience the world.
My own practice centers on hand-built sculptural vessels, drawing on symbolism, spirituality, architecture, and the natural world. I'm particularly interested in what happens when we slow down and give ourselves permission to make something simply because it feels meaningful.
I've spent eight years working in clay, and about 4 years (one running my own business) now helping people of different experience levels discover the possibilities of ceramics. I love teaching because clay offers such a rare opportunity to get out of our heads and into our hands. There's something special about watching someone arrive convinced they aren't creative, only to discover ideas and abilities they didn't know they had.
My workshops focus on individuality and the joy of making something entirely your own. I love introducing people to all the techniques of hand-building and decorative sprig work, where small details, textures, and unexpected combinations can transform a simple form into something full of personality. Rather than everyone making the same thing, I encourage people to leave with a piece that feels distinctly theirs.
Alongside my studio practice, I've worked in ceramic production, studio assistance, and technical roles, including kiln firing, glaze work, and supporting other makers in shared studio environments.
I was also a finalist in the National Emerging Art Prize 2024, with one of my works acquired for the Gruyère Farm Project by Simone Haag / Studio Manifold. In 2026, I was named a finalist in the North Queensland Ceramic Awards.
Above all, I want my classes to be welcoming, curious, and a little bit unexpected. You don't need to consider yourself an artist or have any experience with clay to begin. I'm here to help you explore, experiment, and surprise yourself — and hopefully discover just how rewarding it can be to make something with your own two hands.
Online Classes
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Craft
•
Pottery
•
Clay Sculpture & Hand Building Experience Gifts

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class 0 V48I01Z33L 34c052b7f77f35dccea660a6ce51910d 1 production sydney Sydney NSW AU sydney