Kiefer Floreal: Throw BIG or Go Home
At some point in every potter’s life, you try to throw something bigger than you probably should.
It starts confidently. You center the clay, open it up, begin pulling… and then somewhere around lift two or three, things get a little questionable. The walls wobble, your arms are tired, and suddenly the whole piece feels like it has its own agenda.
Throwing big has a way of humbling you like that.
Which is exactly why we’re bringing Kiefer Floreal into the studio this May for Throw BIG or Go Home, a two-day workshop focused on what it actually takes to scale up your work (without just hoping for the best).
This isn’t about brute force. It’s about systems. Preparation. Knowing how to set yourself up so the clay cooperates... at least a little more than it usually does.
Day one is all about building that foundation: how you wedge, how you center larger amounts of clay, how to move efficiently so you’re not completely wiped out halfway through. Day two pushes things further. Think bigger forms, more variation, and a bit of personal challenge baked in.
Kiefer brings a mix of technical clarity and a very intuitive approach to the process. If you’ve seen his work (or caught him on The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown), you’ll know there’s this balance of control and looseness that feels… achievable, but only once you understand what’s actually going on.
What we like about this kind of workshop is that it doesn’t just give you a technique, it changes how you approach your practice. You leave with a better understanding of your limits, and more importantly, how to move past them.
This workshop is best suited for intermediate to advanced throwers - people who are already comfortable on the wheel and ready to test their limits a bit.
You’ll leave tired (in a satisfying way), probably a bit covered in clay, and with a clearer understanding of how to approach larger work without it turning into a wrestling match.
We’re hosting at our Dupont studio May 25–26, 10AM – 5PM both days, with a small group of 18 so there’s plenty of time for real feedback.
And if you’ve been thinking, I want to go bigger, I just don’t know how… this is a pretty solid place to start.
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These workshops are presented in partnership with Fusion Clay & Glass, a not-for-profit acting as a vital voice for the clay and glass community across Ontario. Their work supports connection, continuing education, and the ongoing development of thoughtful, high-quality craft.
A big thank you as well to Pottery Supply House for supplying the clay used in these workshops, free of charge. Their support plays a crucial role in helping us keep these programs accessible to a wider community of makers.
