Creatures in Clay w/ G.V. Kelley

GV Kelley_featured image 2026

Intermediate | TBD Materials and Studio Fees*

Participants will flex their imaginative muscles to create original creatures in clay. They will consider the impactful meanings behind different types of creature combinations and what they would like to communicate with them. Participants will combine reference images to brainstorm different ways to create original creatures and explore various handbuilding and texturing techniques to make detailed and dynamic forms, with a primary focus in solid building techniques.

Prerequisites: Basic handbuilding skills strongly recommended such as slab building, coiling, and pinching.

*Materials and studio fees are charged to students based on studio usage and materials Touchstone is providing at the request of the instructor. Additionally, some instructors may also require that you bring certain materials and tools with you, in which case a list will be provided. Final cost of these fees will be posted at least two weeks ahead of the workshop to be paid in full prior to check-in.


WORKSHOP STUDENTS should bring the following materials for the workshop                                                                                                                                                                                                  *It is recommended that you wait to hear if the workshop is running before you purchase materials.
Touchstone will let you know if a workshop is running no later than 2 weeks before the start of the class.
Regardless of the outcome of the class, running or not, Touchstone is not responsible for the
reimbursement of any materials bought for a workshop.

1. Any personal tools you wish to use (Optional)

2. Serrated metal rib
https://www.baileypottery.com/c-095-ssp18.html

3. Red rubber rib
https://www.baileypottery.com/c-095-r1.html

4. Wire cutter
https://www.baileypottery.com/c-126-96.html

5. Needle tool
https://www.baileypottery.com/c-090-110.html

6. Small ribbon loop tool
https://www.baileypottery.com/c-090-056.html

7. Large ribbon loop tool
https://www.baileypottery.com/c-126-98.html

8. Scoring tool (optional)
https://www.baileypottery.com/c-127-004.html

9. Small wire loop tool
https://www.baileypottery.com/c-090-044.html

10. Sketchbook

11. Pencil and Pen

12. Reusable water bottle

13. Apron (Optional)

*Workshop Materials Fee Includes*
1) 50 Ibs Standard Clay

Suggested Reading:
1. Beth Cavener Process: https://followtheblackrabbit.com/process/

2. Terryl Whitlatch Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVw4WAqHMGg

3. Chimera Slideshow: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jHamRHs1gGcVVg1dz7j0Qmf_TaYk8dpA/view?usp=sharing

Download PDF File: Creatures in Clay Student Materials

2026 Instructors

GV Kelley_Headshot
GV Kelley
Ceramics Studio Instructor