Clay & Nature: Four-Day Immersion Retreat
Join potter and naturalist Patricia Griffin in this four-day retreat where clay becomes your canvas, nature becomes your teacher, and the forest meets the sea. All levels are welcome – from curious beginner to experienced potter.
This is an expanded version of Patricia’s popular “Making Your Mark in Clay” workshop. The additional day allows for deeper exploration, more individual guidance, and more time to connect with both the material and the coastal environment for inspiration.
Intimate Learning Environment
Limited to just 12 participants to ensure personalized attention, meaningful feedback, and the kind of creative community where lasting friendships form.
Beautiful Setting and Meals Provided!
We’ll use the great outdoors for inspiration during this workshop. The workshop is held in the fabulous Craft Lodge of Camp Ocean Pines, with views of the forest and ocean in all directions. All meals are provided, and there is also an option for lodging. (The meals are delicious and dietary restrictions are accommodated.)
Nature as Inspiration
Begin each morning with guided observation, discovering textures, patterns, and forms that nature offers. We’ll collect natural materials like leaves, shells, and driftwood to use as tools and textures for your clay work, and explore how other ceramic artists have incorporated natural elements and imagery into their practice.
Your Four-Day Immersion:
Day 1: Practice hand-building techniques (pinching, coiling and slab construction) with guidance tailored to your experience level, and create your first pieces from raw clay. Demonstrations and welcome dinner.
Day 2: Explore surface decoration through etching, stenciling, painting, and embossing – using natural forms and patterns as your guide. Optional: Join Patricia for an artist talk in the evening.
Day 3: Create botanical impressions and nature-inspired imagery while working on handmade vessel forms that Patricia provides.
Day 4: Complete your personal projects with plenty of one-on-one guidance and group sharing.
What You'll Make
Four to six pieces that showcase both your new skills and your personal connection to this coastal environment – from nature-inspired practice works to final projects that reflect your own artistic vision.
Timeline for Pick-up/Shipping
Your pieces will be professionally bisque-fired, glazed, and final-fired in Patricia's studio. They'll be ready for pickup or shipping in 3-4 weeks - perfect timing to extend the joy of your creative retreat.
For Beginners
New to clay? Perfect! No drawing or pottery experience needed. You’ll not only learn fundamental techniques but also develop an artist's eye for seeing the potential in natural forms around you. All materials provided, and you'll be guided step-by-step in a supportive environment where creativity flourishes. Just bring your curiosity and prepare to have fun!
For Experienced Artists
Seasoned potter or artist? Dive deeper into surface techniques and new ways to energize your work. Discover how botanical forms can inspire new surface techniques. You are welcome to bring leather-hard pieces from your studio to experiment with during the workshop. Take home professional tips you can immediately apply to your practice.
ABOUT PATRICIA
Patricia Griffin is a full-time ceramic artist whose work bridges the worlds of fine art and nature study. Working from her home studio in coastal Cambria, she creates pottery and sculptural pieces that celebrate the intricate beauty of botanical forms.
Her ceramics have been featured nationally in Ceramics Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, and other leading publications. Patricia's work is represented by The Vault Gallery in Cambria and has been showcased in solo exhibitions at San Luis Obispo Museum of Art and Cambria Center for the Arts. Her public art practice focuses on large-scale botanical wall installations for healthcare facilities.
As a teacher, Patricia has guided hundreds of participants through variations of her popular "Making Your Mark" workshops, sharing her passion for both clay and the natural world. Her dual expertise as potter and naturalist creates a unique learning experience that helps students discover their own creative voice while connecting more deeply with nature.
Visit patriciagriffinceramics.com for more information.
Workshop Fees:
On-Site Lodging - $725.00 - Program instruction for the weekend, supplies for the workshop, on-site lodging in shared cabins with attached bathrooms, and eight wonderful meals (Friday dinner to Monday breakfast).
Off-Site Lodging - $650.00 - Program instruction for the weekend, supplies for the workshop, and five wonderful meals (Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast).
A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required and the balance is due at least 30 days (09/02/2025=6) prior to the workshop. No refunds are available after 09/02/2026. Participants are welcome and encouraged to protect their purchase through travel insurance. Camp has vetted multiple companies to choose the best option for you. To learn more and purchase travel insurance, please follow this link: https://atc.tripassure.com/main/. This is not a requirement for attendance.
For any questions about the event, schedule, and content:
Contact Patricia at Patricia@PatriciaGriffinCeramics.com
For questions about Camp Ocean Pines or registration assistance:
Contact admin@campoceanpines.org or 805-927-0254