Slab Building with Templates: A One-Day Intensive
- Details
- Location
- About The Artist
- Policies
- Liability & Safety
Take your handbuilding skills further in this six-hour intensive with ceramic artist Alexis Cline. Drawing on her background in fashion design and pattern-making, Alexis will teach students how to break down three-dimensional forms into individual components, create reusable templates using materials like Tyvek and roofing paper, and construct larger, more complex slab-built pieces. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, students will explore new approaches to form, proportion, and structural construction. Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas or sketches, but prepared templates will also be available to use or adapt.
Prior handbuilding experience is required. Participants should be comfortable working with slabs and basic joining techniques.
This is a 5 hour workshop meeting on:
Saturday, January 23: 10am - 3pm
Part I: Designing with Templates
Alexis will demonstrate how to translate three-dimensional forms into two-dimensional patterns, covering:
- Breaking down complex forms into individual components
- Designing reusable templates using Tyvek, roofing paper, and other materials
- Adjusting templates to change scale, proportion, and shape
Students will develop their own templates or adapt designs provided by the instructor.
Part II: Building with Slabs
Students will use their templates to cut and assemble slab-built forms, with demonstrations covering:
- Preparing and handling slabs for larger-scale construction
- Cutting, beveling, and joining slab components
- Creating curves, angles, and dimensional forms
- Supporting larger pieces and managing moisture during construction
- Troubleshooting structural challenges and preventing warping
Throughout the workshop, Alexis will provide individualized guidance as students develop their forms. Participants will leave with reusable templates and new techniques they can apply to future projects.
1600 Altamont Ave, Richmond, VA 23230
Alexis Cline is a Richmond-based ceramic artist and educator whose work draws on her background in fashion design, textiles, and illustration. She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 2019 with a degree in Fashion Design, and began exploring ceramics by applying her knowledge of clothing pattern-making to the construction of slab-built vessels.
Her practice combines handbuilding and wheel throwing with an emphasis on thoughtful design, sculptural forms, and intricate surface decoration. In 2023, Alexis participated in SCAD's Alumni Atelier residency program in Lacoste, France, and began teaching handbuilding classes in 2025.
Through her ceramic practice, Atelier Alexis, she creates one-of-a-kind functional pottery that brings together her interests in form, pattern, and illustration.
By enrolling in a class or workshop, you are acknowledging that you have read and understand the safety instructions and liability waiver.
Cancellations made 4 or more days before the start of the class will be refunded. For cancellations made fewer than 4 full days, but more than 24 hours before the start time, a 50% refund or 50% credit toward another class or workshop will be issued. We cannot provide refunds or credits for cancellations or rescheduling requests made fewer than 24 hours before the start time of class, if you miss your class, or arrive too late to participate.
Liability & Safety
All students must agree to the following upon registering for a class or workshop at Still Life Studio:
Waivers and Safety for Ceramic Classes and Studio Use
- Students will follow all instructions by teacher.
- Students will not load, unload or operate the kilns.
- Long hair should be tied back.
- Do not wear articles of clothing or jewelry that hang off the body.
- Closed footwear is required.
- Do not use any equipment without a staff member present.
- SLS will provide safety glasses or gloves upon request.
- All completed work must be picked up from Still Life Studio no later than 4 weeks after the student’s final class. Still Life Studio is not responsible for any work left longer than 4 weeks. It is the student’s responsibility to pick up their work.
I hereby release and agree to hold Still Life Studio harmless from, and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act of the studio, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any services received from Still Life Studio. I understand that this release discharges Still Life Studio from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives may have against the studio with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any services received from Still Life Studio. This liability waiver and release extends to the studio together with all owners, partners, and employees.
Liability Waiver
In connection with my involvement in ceramic classes at Still Life Studio, I hereby release Still Life Studio, its agents, representatives, successors, or assignees, Still Life Studio management and employees, from all liabilities, actions, claims, damages, demands, costs, and expenses which I am now or in the future have against them, arising out of or in any way connected with my participation in art classes, including enroute to or from the program or its related events. I understand that the waiver includes, but is not limited to, all injuries to me and or loss of injuries to any personal property. I also understand that this waiver includes, but is not limited to, any claims that are based on my alleged negligence or any other action or inaction of any of the above parties.
I also give Still Life Studio permission to publish in print, electronic, or video format the likeness or image of myself and/or my work for the general promotion of Still Life Studio and its programs.
By enrolling in a class or workshop, I am acknowledging that I have read and understand the safety instructions and the liability waiver that have been outlined.