The Way of Clay: Digging to the Roots

Alan Steinberg

May 27-30, 2005 (Friday - Monday)

If stones are the bones of the Earth, than clay must be her connective tissue. Born out of earthen clay, we aspire to flight. To grow strong wings we must feed our roots, and reconnect with the Earth. Our bonds with the mineral, plant, and animal realms support us in our evolution toward enlightenment and nourish our visions.

It’s no accident that when we experience strong emotions, we say we feel “touched.” The most tactile of mediums, clay has the capacity to act as a catalyst, both physically and emotionally, bringing up hidden insights, as concrete images emerge through our hands. We will move in alternating rhythms between encountering the landscape of Rowe, responding through clay, and enjoying each others’ creations. We’ll focus on exploration and discovery, rather than on skill building.

As we move more deeply into the landscape and our connections to it, we will experience the naturalness of our creative ability. Moonlight filtering through the branches of great ancestor trees, the stones upon which we sit, by the touch of our hands are transformed into mysterious beings made of clay. Those who have never sculpted before may uncover talents they never knew they had. Those with more experience will delight in the discovery that the earth is a deep well of creativity.

If we are to be the earth’s consciousness, we must be conscious of the earth. We have two proper roles as self-aware beings on this planet. The first is as stewards; to honor and protect this world. The second is as creators who celebrate and feed the “other” world of spirit. The purpose of art goes far beyond the making of pretty things. It provides us the opportunity to find out who we are; and, going deeper still, it provides a means of nurturing the spirit world so the spirit world can feed our world. This workshop will go through Monday lunch and costs an additional $80, plus there is a $20 materials fee, but you’ll probably take home some clay.

Alan Steinberg has been a ceramic artist and teacher for over 35 years. He has studied with many well-known artists in the field, including, Paul Soldner, George Kokis, and Paulus Berensohn and his work has been shown in galleries across the country. He is a practitioner of yoga and Buddhist meditation and he loves the medium and we’re happy to share his enthusiasm with you.

“This earth that we come from, this mother, would not be as fruitful, as reproductive and as supportive as she is without our appreciation. She needs to feel our appreciation. It nourishes her. The purpose of art is to praise, thank and express our gratitude and wonder. We make art to sing up the earth.”

“Interesting, odd, funny, appropriate, how working with clay and a few verbal suggestions or rituals can take someone so deep. Will I be back? Absolutely.”