Round Robin Demonstration Sessions
We are very excited to offer two Round Robin Demonstration sessions at the 2027 Alabama Clay Conference. These sessions consist of several presenters who each give the same 45-minute demonstration which they will repeat four times consecutively. The Round Robin Demonstration sessions are open to all conference attendees. You do not have to sign up to attend the demonstrations. Conference attendees go to a presenter’s demonstration and then to another and so on to see the demonstrations. Attendees can float from one to the next as they choose.
The first Round Robin Demonstration session will be on Thursday afternoon beginning at noon and ending before the Clay Market and Vendor reception. Each of the four Round Robin demonstration presenters will repeat their demonstrations from 12 - 12:45, 1 - 1:45, 2 - 2:45, and 3 - 3:45 p.m. Thursday presenters include: Raine Middleton, Kathy Scaggs, A.J. Argentina, Linda Munoz, and Stacy Blalock.
The second Round Robin Demonstration session will be on Sunday morning. Each of the six Round Robin Demonstration presenters will repeat their demonstrations from 9 - 9:45, 10 - 10:45, 11 - 11:45, and 12 - 12:45. Sunday presenters include: Denise Phillips, Lora Rust, Mark Rigsby, Guadalupe Robinson, Cat Traen, and Rob Lawarre III.
Learn more about our Round Robin demonstrating artists below.
A.J. Argentina
Beyond the Round: Altering Wheel-Thrown Forms
AJ will share an approach to transforming wheel-thrown pottery through alteration and texture with a focus on distinctive lidded forms. Starting with simple thrown pieces, he'll demonstrate techniques for reshaping forms, adding texture, and exploring the creative possibilities that emerge through experimentation. Along the way, AJ will discuss how curiosity, craftsmanship, and adaptability shape his process, offering insight into crafting functional pots that are both practical and distinctive.
Stacy Blalock & Linda Muñoz
Mosaics and Ceramics: A Stupendous Friendship
Learn how to design, create, and install interior and exterior mosaic pieces. They will discuss clay bodies, techniques, glaze applications, adding other materials such as premade pottery and stained glass, cutting tile, sizing, adhesives, substrates, installation, grout, and basking in the glory of the artwork you have just created!
Rob LaWarre III
Handles, Feet, and Other Embellishments
Fast Track: Car enthusiast and hand builder, Robert LaWarre III will demonstrate his signature techniques for unexpected and dynamic handbuilt elements for functional forms including handles, sculptural feet, and spouts.
Raine Middleton
Unscripted Clay: Playful Freehand Sgraffito
Discover the playful and liberating art of freehand sgraffito. Without rigid templates or precise outlines, learn to embrace spontaneous design and dynamic linework made directly onto clay surfaces.
Denise Phillips
Sculpt a Hare with Me
Denise will demonstrate sculpting a solid hare head while discussing the benefits of sculpting solid clay vs other methods, using different types of armatures, and how to make your wildlife creatures believable, even if they’re not hyper-realistic.
Mark Rigsby
Impressions in Clay
This demonstration will present techniques for using hand-made, bisque-fired, press-molds and stamps for incorporating texture, pattern, and sculptural relief into wheel-thrown vessel forms.
Guadalupe Robinson
Coordinating Form and Surface
We will think about how a design/drawing will work best for a particular shape.
Lora Rust
Pushing the Clay: A Surface Decoration Demonstration
It’s all about texture in Lora Rust’s demonstration! Hand-builders and wheel-throwers, learn Lora’s unique “pushing the clay” technique as she textures a cup and a bowl, using her specialty tools (available at LoraRust.com). Learn tips on keeping the shape of your piece while manipulating the surface, unlimited design ideas and shortcuts, and details how to make the texture “pop” when finished.
Kathy Skaggs
Surface Stories: Printing Techniques on Clay, Print + Clay: Image-Making in Ceramics
Dive into bold image-making on clay slabs using AMACO Ceramic Printing Inks with a variety of printing techniques.
C. A. Traen
Get a Grip - Sculpting Better Hands
Learn methods for sculpting more accurate and versatile human hands at any scale. Instruction on proportion, form, and sculpting techniques will support artists of any level to foundational success.