The Philosophy
Inspired by circular, textured art, these clay mandalas are created to commission or collaboratively during outdoor community workshops.
During a workshop, participants of all ages hand-craft organic tiles using textures gathered from the immediate environment—leaves, tree bark, seeds, and wild flowers, which we press into raw clay tiles. Foraging for natural textures in the immediate surroundings is a fun part of the workshop.
Assembled together on a black backdrop, the individual pieces form a striking collective artwork. The process celebrates both individual expression and communal creativity, honoring the local landscape.
Sustainable & Ephemeral
Driven by a deep commitment to low environmental impact, these artworks are temporary. Rather than firing the clay, we embrace its ephemeral nature. At the end of a workshop, the mandala is mindfully dismantled, and the raw clay is recycled to be used again.
The Memory of Clay
During a workshop with thirty women, a beautiful discovery transformed this project. Upon lifting the dried tiles, I found the white dust had left ghost-like prints of the mandalas on the black fabric beneath.
These striking "memory marks" capture the energy of the shared experience. They now live on as a developing series of fine art photographs and prints—a permanent record of a temporary moment.
Clay Mandalas: A Collaborative Outdoor Workshop
Connect with nature, community, and your own creativity.
Join us for a unique, grounding art experience in the outdoors. In this workshop, you will learn to craft organic, textured clay tiles using materials gathered directly from the surrounding landscape—such as wild flowers, seed heads, and textured bark.
We will gather everyone's individual hand-crafted pieces into one massive, striking circular mandala. It is a beautiful celebration of individual expression coming together to form a stunning communal whole.
What to Expect
- Connect with the Earth: Forage for local, natural textures to press into raw clay.
- All Ages & Skills Welcome: A simple, deeply rewarding technique open to everyone.
- Eco-Conscious Art: In harmony with nature, our physical mandalas are temporary and the clay is mindfully recycled back to the earth after the event.
- The Memory Lives On: Discover how the ghost-like dust prints left behind on our backdrop are captured as permanent fine art photography.
