What is a workshop?

Workshops are for those who want to either level up quickly or learn a new skill as a complete beginner. They are very structured and intensive and have a very low instructor to participant ratio which means you get a lot of personal attention and guidance from the instructor.

What is an open studio session?

Open studios are independent practice times for those who can work independently with occasional support and have a higher instructor to participant ratio which means you have less personal attention and guidance from the instructor.

Does this mean you have to keep taking workshops until you’re totally independent?

Not at all. You may be invited to an open studio session as a beginner right after taking your first workshop with Ipek or one of her assistants but you may not book an open studio session if you’re a complete beginner.

Is anyone there to help during an open studio session?
Yes, either Ipek or one of her trained assistants is always there to help you during open studios.

What does independent practice time mean?

Independent means you are practicing something that you already know or something you just learned in a workshop or demo and you don’t need to ask for help continuously.

What is occasional support?
Occasional support means a few questions per session that can be answered with a quick demo or explanation by the person in charge.

For what kinds of things could one ask for guidance or support during open studios?

There are certain things that can be learned for the first time or re-learned easily after having learned it in a workshop by watching a quick demo such as how to pull up the walls more evenly, how to cut the wobbly rim of a piece evenly, how to center your clay within seconds. You may request a couple of demos for such things during an open studio.

Why take a workshop when it’s possible to buy an open studio package?

There are things that need more extensive explanations and/or long and multiple demos such as trimming or learning how to make and attach handles if you’ve never attended a workshop for those. Open studios are not suitable for learning such things by watching a quick demo.

What can you do in open studios?
You may throw and trim at the wheels or underglaze, wax or glaze at the table.

Need to ask more questions or require more assistance than a few times per session?
This means you are probably trying to achieve something that is beyond your skill level. Please be patient with your practice. Learning new skills, going bigger or taller takes time. Stick to goals that are within your skill level and gently push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Need a lot of guidance for a project?
You may schedule a free 15-minute video consult or private lesson with Ipek or her assistant for special projects that require long explanations, multiple demos or a mini lesson.

When do the open studio sessions take place?
Most Wednesday evenings between 18:30-21:30 and most Saturdays between 10:30-13:30. There are usually 6-8 sessions a month and you can decide how frequently or infrequently you attend.

What do the prices include in the packages?
Prices include clay, glaze and firing fees. Prepaid parking tickets may be purchased separately.