Create whimsical and extraordinary creatures from clay. In this two-day hand-building workshop, you will design and build a standing ceramic character from scratch. Working entirely by hand—without molds or machinery—you’ll explore sculptural techniques that allow expressive, one-of-a-kind forms to emerge naturally from the clay. The focus of the course is on character, stylization, and storytelling. Through guided demonstrations, you’ll learn how a simple sketch or a random animal reference can evolve into a unique creature with personality, emotion, and presence. You’ll gain insight into my personal approach to stylization and how small decisions in form, posture, and detail can completely transform a sculpture. This workshop is ideal for participants who want to work on larger sculptural forms and develop a distinctive visual language. Basic handbuilding skills are sufficient
In addition to acquiring technical skills, participants will leave the workshop with the confidence to approach future projects independently, armed with a thorough understanding of the complexities involved in sculpture work.
Cancellations more than 3 weeks before the workshop start date are eligible for a refund less a €50 administration fee, or rescheduling to a later workshop. No refunds will be available within 3 weeks of the workshop start date.
Nastja Calaca always dreamed of becoming an illustrator—creating stories, reinventing characters, and building imaginary worlds on paper. Her path unexpectedly led her to ceramics, and what began as a chance encounter grew into a lasting devotion. In a high-tech world of screens and plastic, working with clay offers her a sense of playful freedom and childlike joy—an honest, tactile process rooted in curiosity and imagination. Her ceramic characters begin as illustrations and slowly take shape as teapots, plant pots, and small sculptural figures. Each piece is hand-built and unique, shaped by intuition, careful glazing, and the unpredictable magic of the kiln. These whimsical beings travel far, finding homes across the world, and each one carries its own story—waiting to become part of someone’s everyday life.
