Paloma Clay Studio, San Miguel De Allende, Mexico
Sept 27-October 3, 2026
Alessandro Gallo
Strange Encounters: Narratives in Clay
I’ll share every trick I know to develop a concept into a clay sculpture working in the studio together. My workshop is a one week, hands-on immersive experience on traditional and unconventional techniques. We’ll focus on one medium size figure. We'll build it solid using an armature to support the clay, then hollow it out and prepare it for firing.
September 27-October 3, 2026
Suze Lindsay
Inspired: Árbol de la Vida
Inspired by the traditional Árbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) sculptural form originating in Metepec, this workshop focuses on the creation of candleholders and candelabra. Rooted in ritual and storytelling traditions, the Tree of Life form offers a rich visual language that will serve as both reference and inspiration.
Through the study and interpretation of selected works from the Tree of Life genre, participants will explore how narrative, symbolism, and structure come together in clay. These historical and contemporary examples will spark individual creative responses, encouraging each maker to develop a personal approach to form and meaning.
Using both wheel-thrown and hand-built components, along with paper patterns designed by participants, we will investigate proportion, balance, and the dynamic relationships that create a successful candlestick or candelabrum.
Emphasis will be placed on integrating sculptural storytelling with functional design.
This workshop invites participants to create forms that illuminate not only space, but also story. Suze will demonstrate a variety of approaches to surface enhancement, using slips on leather-hard clay. Writing, drawing, and sharing of source materials will help participants develop strategies to personalize their work. Firing not included. Basic throwing skills required
October 26-31, 2026
Deborah Schwartzkopf
Cross Pollination
Waitlist only
Join returning visiting artist Deborah Schwartzkopf for Cross Pollination, a 5-day ceramics retreat in the vibrant heart of San Miguel de Allende. Blending handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques, this workshop focuses on creating expressive serving dishes.Deb will guide daily demonstrations and offer personalized support as participants explore altering thrown forms, working with templates, and bisque-fired clay molds. Deb will also share surface development techniques with slip and underglaze. You’ll be encouraged to experiment boldly, refine your voice, and connect your studio practice to broader artistic pathways.Come for the clay, stay for the color, and leave transformed by connection, culture, and collaboration.Two of Deb & Joe’s favorite outings in their last visit to San Miguel were the renowned Mask Museum and the UNESCO site of Atotonilco. We will do our best to organize these trips for the group. Workshop sessions conclude October 31, giving you the chance to extend your stay and experience the powerful artistry and emotion of Día de los Muertos. You will get the most out of the workshop if you can throw a 5” cylinder and can center clay on the potter’s wheel. Come ready to experiment and draw inspiration from the fabulous city and culture of San Miguel!Running concurrently, ceramic sculptor Joe Wilkinson will be teaching a companion workshop for sculptors. While the two groups work independently, we’ll come together for shared exercises—such as making forms for use as molds, whether for sculptural repetition or thoughtful utility. Both instructors will offer image presentations, giving participants a window into their personal approaches, surfaces, and artistic journeys. These moments of crossover create a rich, collaborative learning environment—encouraging the cross-pollination of ideas between function and sculpture, intuition and technique.
October 26-31, 2026
Joe Wilkinson
Clay in Context
Working with an open and responsive mindset, Joe Wilkinson encourages an intuitive relationship with clay, allowing sculptural forms to emerge through curiosity, play, and thoughtful exploration. In this five-day hands-on ceramics retreat in the vibrant town of San Miguel Allende (SMA), Joe will guide participants in building abstract pieces using clay coils and hard slabs, focusing on construction techniques that invite spontaneity.In addition to free-form building, participants will create a bisque-fired clay mold as a tool to explore repetition and scale. This mold will be used to construct a larger sculpture composed of multiple components. These components can be uniform for a cohesive effect or altered for more complexity and movement.Nature will be our inspiration, with forms drawn from branching systems like river deltas, neural pathways, and or the outstretched arms of the Ocotillo cactus. Joe will demonstrate ways to build pieces that rise from the table or extend from the wall, encouraging participants to rethink orientation and explore new spatial relationships.Throughout the week, we’ll dive into ideas of scale, rhythm, negative space, and visual tension. You’ll be invited to play, experiment, and develop confidence as you create sculptural elements with flow and presence. Group discussions and image presentations will deepen the experience, as Joe shares insight into his own forming process, surface choices, and creative influences.
Running alongside this workshop, ceramic artist Deborah Schwartzkopf will be teaching a complementary class focused on functional forms. While the two groups work independently, we’ll come together for shared exercises—such as making forms for use as molds, whether for sculptural repetition or thoughtful utility. Both instructors will present image presentations, offering participants a glimpse into their personal approaches, surfaces, and artistic journeys. These moments of crossover create a rich, collaborative learning environment—encouraging the cross-pollination of ideas between function and sculpture, intuition and technique.
November 8-13, 2026
Linda Christianson
What If?
Ideas and Making
Our ideas about pottery come from what we pay attention to. This workshop will focus on our own personal curiosities and becoming comfortable with ideas, shapes, and methods that have eluded or are new to us. Explore the sparking of ideas and making functional pots through demonstrations, lively discussions, fun exercises, and plenty of individual attention. This workshop is one of discovery and risk more than finished objects. The goal is for you to experience personal growth in your own work. Linda will demonstrate both wheel and hand-building techniques that she uses in her wood/salt-fired pots. She will address idea generation and the importance of learning to see. The days will be balanced with plenty of time for your own work and personal attention. Both hand builders and throwers are welcome. Open to all skill levels.
November 8-13, 2026
Tip Toland
Hands and Heads
Hands and Heads, an exploration of integrating the hand with the head.
Hands hold so much symbolism and potential for story telling as well as visual impact.
This will be a workshop dedicated to combining hands with the head. I will demonstrate lots of techniques about building life size, anatomically correct heads and the multiple options on how they could collaborate with hands! Bring your ideas and photos!
Tip is a master teacher and has taught here at Paloma Clay Studios to great acclaim. Don't miss this!
