workshops
Learn, make, and explore
Kala Stein Studio offers intimate in-studio workshops in Sonoma where you can slow down, work with clay, and learn directly from Kala. Private lessons and small group workshops are also available by request.
International
Clay & Culture
Travel Workshops
Immersive multi-day workshops in culturally rich locations combining studio time, museum visits, local food, and ceramics history. Led by Kala, limited to 10 participants.
Online · On Demand
Online Courses
Learn at your own pace with curated online courses on Thinkific. Topics range from surface design and sgraffito to building complex forms, beginner through advanced levels.
In-Studio · Sonoma
Hands-On Studio
Workshops
Technique-focused workshops held at Kala Stein Studio in downtown Sonoma. Small groups, personal instruction, and access to all materials, clay, glaze, and kiln firing.
International Workshops
Aegina, Greece | Dates May 8–15, 2025 | Capacity 10 ParticipantsClay & Culture
Workshop in Greece
A week-long workshop and cultural immersion on the island of Aegina, beginning with museum visits in Athens, including the Archeological Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art, before moving to Aegina to make work, explore ancient and contemporary ceramics, and experience the food and culture of the island.
This trip was personally researched and planned by Kala, including routes, accommodations, studio time, and guided stops. It will be amazing.
Sold Out — May 2025
In-Studio Workshops
March 16 & 17, 2026 · 10am–4pm · KALA'S Sonoma StudioHarvest Basket Workshop
A 2-day hands-on workshop making ceramic harvest baskets, beautiful open forms perfect for fruit, bread, or autumnal decoration. Inspired by traditional gathering baskets, stained glass, and forged iron, these sculptural yet functional pieces highlight negative space and ornamental structure, blending rustic charm with contemporary design. Space is limited to 5 participants.
$475 · Includes clay, glaze & firing
In-studio workshops are held at 148 East Napa Street, Sonoma, CA.
Kala also teaches at studios across the country throughout the year.
For private lessons or small group sessions, reach out directly at kala@kalastein.com.
Online Courses
Surface Design
Storytelling on Clay
Instructor: Sue Tirrell
Explore image, form, and surface starting with found or unique imagery. Sue guides you through drawing and rendering, covering the fundamentals of surface design for both functional and sculptural ceramics.
$270
Form Building
Building Complex Forms Using Templates
Instructor: Giselle Hicks · Helena, Montana
Introduction to making and using templates to bring shape to the base of a form, building and assembling components, making directional transitions, adding feet and more. For all levels. 2-hour Zoom workshop.
$60
Color & Pattern
Colored Clay Collages
Instructor: Joanna Poag
Host: Kala Stein
Learn the fundamentals of mixing colored clays using mason stains and use them to create engaging patterned compositions. Applicable to functional ware, tile, and sculptural work. Beginner to advanced.
$60
Surface Design
Mishima & Sgraffito
Instructor: Whitney Smith
Host: Kala Stein
Two approaches to surface design for achieving controlled, colorful, and stunning surfaces. For all levels and all types of ceramic work, from functional to sculptural. On demand, watch anytime.
$270
Coil Building
Advanced Coil Building: Prunus Vase
Instructor: Joanne Lee
Joanne Lee teaches her signature porcelain coil-building technique through the making of a curvilinear Prunus Vase. A focused, advanced-level workshop delivered as a 90-day video rental.
$50
Mold Making
Intro to Mold Making & Slip Casting
Instructor: Kala Stein
Independent Study
A comprehensive introduction to plaster molds and slip-casting, studio setup, mixing plaster, types of molds, making models, and troubleshooting. Ideal for beginners or those honing existing skills. 360-day access.
$545
Hand Building
Building Zig Zag Vessels
Instructor: Giselle Hicks ·
Giselle Hicks's iconic zig-zag vessels are built using coil and pinch hand-building techniques. Open to all levels, beginner through advanced. 90-day access.
$55
HAND Building
Hand Building
Instructor: Giselle Hicks
Giselle Hicks's spherical forms and vessels, built with a coil and pinch technique from her Helena studio. A great companion to the Zig Zag Vessels course. All levels welcome. 90-day access.
$55
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