Embossed Surfaces on Hand Built Forms
3 Days with Acclaimed Potter
Christy Knox
Friday & Saturday - Hands On Workshop
Sunday - Demonstration
(Registration Type A & B)
(1 Day Sunday Demo only, also available - Registration Type D & E)
Friday & Saturday, March 20-21, 2026, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday, March 22nd, 2026, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud Street, Punta Gorda, Florida
Want to become a confident hand builder? Immerse yourself in this hands-on workshop Friday & Saturday with renowned potter Christy Knox! Working with soft slabs and embossing plates, participants learn a variety of forming techniques including darting, stretching, and assembling skills that allow you to create complex forms. You will then make your own tools; participants will create embossing plates and learn about pattern making.
Then on Sunday, Christy will demonstrate various techniques focusing on simple mugs to complex shapes including teapots and present a PowerPoint of her work, past and current. There will also be a refresher on creating your own embossing plates. Christy will then discuss ergonomics, timing and the drying process, importance of healthy artistic risk taking, and aspects of glazing/finishing for showcasing of texture & embossed surfaces.
On the first day, students are encouraged to bring a large handful of fresh plant material and/or other textural material they wish to use for embossing. Students create embossing plates and learn about template design for new forms.
Workshop fee includes 25lbs of clay. Limited to 14 participants.
Location
Workshop will take place at the Visual Arts Center, 210 Maude Street Punta Gorda, FL 33950. The Visual Arts Center is four miles from the Punta Gorda airport, serviced by Allegiant Airlines. Participants can also fly into The SWFL Intn'l Airport in Fort Myers, which is less than an hour drive to Punta Gorda.
Room Share – For those interested in a room share, please contact Chris Colle (Chris.SWFLPottersGuild@gmail.com) and she will match you up with another participant.
Schedule
Friday & Saturday, March 20-21, 2026
Continental Breakfast..................................................9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Hands-On Instruction...................................................9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lunch..........................................................................12:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Hands-On Instruction..................................................1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Continental Breakfast..................................................9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Demonstration.............................................................10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch..........................................................................12:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Demonstration.............................................................1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Included each day:
Continental Breakfast
Beverages (soda, water, coffee, tea)
Breaktime Snacks
You may bring your own lunch or order locally and we will arrange for pick-up. We will have menus available to choose from.
Participant Supply List
Participants should bring the following items to the Workshop:
Serrated Rib for scoring
Pin Tool
Rubber Rib (bendable)
Small Sponge
Pony Roller
Banding Wheel
Rectangular Ware Board, approximately 7" x 14" in order to bring your embossing plate home with you
For those traveling by plane, we will have some of the "sharp" tools that you can not travel with available. We will also have a few banding wheels available.
Christy Knox Background
My earliest memories are of playing in the garden and walking in the woods. As an Artist, I was lucky to find my way to clay. For 40 years that lovely material has consistently allowed me to work with my hands and freely express my ideas.
My exploration of form and color has carried me around and through the natural landscape. It is a personal journey, my relationship to the earth. I find myself constantly awe-struck by the visual interplay of color, texture, pattern and natural form. This experience is ever changing, fleeting, and unique.
Part of the true joy of creating functional art is in the handling and daily interaction with a finished piece of pottery. Whether I am gardening or making pots, seeking out texture and color relationships, sipping tea, or feeding my children, my pots are a part and product of it all. It is my life, and it is what I have to share.
Cost
The cost of this 3-Day Event is $405.00 for Guild members and $450.00 for non-members. (Cost includes 25 lbs. of clay for each participant.)
Enrollment is limited to 14 participants. 3-Day participants receive priority seating for Demonstration on Sunday.
(You can become a member on this website.)
*** Early Bird Special for 3-Day Event ***
Receive 10% off posted prices if you register and pay for workshop event by August 31, 2025. Use Code: 3DE-CK10
The cost of the 1-Day Demonstration Only for Guild members is $100, and for non-members is $110. Enrollment for the 1-Day Only is limited to 30 participants.
Workshop Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received at least three weeks before the workshop date will receive a full refund minus a $25 processing fee.
Cancellations received less than three weeks before the workshop date receive a 50% refund, unless we can fill your seat. If we can fill your seat, you will still receive a full refund minus a $25 processing fee.
There are no refunds for cancellations received less than 72 hours before the workshop.
Please note: You may transfer your ticket to another person at no cost! Please let us know who the new ticket holder will be.
All cancellation and/or transfer requests must be made via email: Chris.SWFLPottersGuild@gmail.com
