Abstracting Memory with Bianca MacPherson

Join us at Pottery Northwest for a very special hands-on workshop with 2026 NCECA Emerging Artist Bianca MacPherson. During this two-day intensive workshop participants are invited to explore the stories embedded in their own personal relics such as photographs, letters, heirlooms, or objects of significance and transform them into abstract ceramic forms. Through guided writing, drawing, and discussion, students will learn methods of distilling memory into visual language. 

Demonstrations in slab, coil, and sculptural building techniques will support participants in efficiently constructing their own clay works, balancing concept with craft. By the end of the workshop, each participant will complete a ceramic piece that reframes their chosen relic while gaining strategies for abstraction, material experimentation, and reflection. Pottery Northwest will be able to bisque fire the work in the weeks following the workshop once the pieces have dried carefully.

Day 1: Saturday, June 13th, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Relic to Idea. We will begin with a welcoming and framing of the days as planned. There will be an optional time upfront before we start working to share your relics. We will start with the clay using a few warm ups in abstraction exercises. The rest of the day will be filled with our clay studies and one-on-one mentorship with Bianca. Bianca will cover best building practices which will then lead into the beginning of our main build. 

Day 2: Sunday, June 14th, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

We will start where we left off from the previous day and with an emphasis on surface as abstraction. This will lead into a period of refinement of our pieces. Towards the end of the day the group will reflect and share what has been learned, built, and expressed.

This workshop is open to Level Up skill levels. Having previous experience in clay is recommended. 

We believe clay is for everyone! Need tuition assistance? Please send us an email at info@potterynorthwest.org for more information.

What is included

• Clay
• Tools

 What to bring

• A chosen relic that is personal to you.
• Red rubber rib
• Serrated rib
• A good attitude and a mind open to learning.
• An apron, or comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. 

Please note:

• Pottery Northwest is located in Pioneer Square, so please plan ahead so that you have enough time to park. You don’t want to miss anything!

• Workshops do not grant you Studio Access outside of your workshop time.