The Corporate Ceramics Workshop is a half-day studio programme in which executive and leadership teams of 5-25 shape their own bowls, cups or plates in a ceramics studio, guided by a master instructor. Working with clay demands patience, attention and thinking with the hands, so the programme offers a different kind of focus for executives who make decisions all day and spend much of their time at a screen.

What is in the programme?

The workshop begins with kneading the clay and removing the air trapped inside. Participants first try hand-building techniques, namely the pinch, coil and slab methods, to produce a small object. They then move to the potter's wheel, where the instructor demonstrates centring the clay, opening it and raising the walls, and each participant takes a turn at throwing their own form.

In the final section, slip or patterns are applied to the finished pieces; on request, they can be decorated with motifs from the İznik and Kütahya tile traditions. For a ceramic piece to become usable, it must go through drying, a bisque firing and a glaze firing, so the pieces are delivered to participants once firing is complete rather than on the day of the workshop.

Highlights

• Hand-building and the potter's wheel tried within the same programme.
• A structure that encourages slowing down through patient steps such as centring the clay.
• The option to decorate with traditional Anatolian tile motifs.
• Every participant leaves with a piece for everyday use, made with their own hands.

Who Is It For?

It suits boards of directors, leadership teams and senior executive groups of 5-25 who want to come together in a different setting after a strategy meeting. As the number of wheels is limited, the small-group format ensures everyone has enough hands-on time. Physical effort is low, although working at the wheel means sitting and leaning forward for a while.

Planning Notes

• Because of the firing process, pieces are delivered a few weeks after the workshop.
• Clay and glaze can mark clothing; comfortable, short-sleeved clothes and short nails are recommended.
• Depending on studio capacity, groups of more than 12 rotate between the wheel and table stations.
• As the programme takes place indoors, it is not affected by the season.