Thursday ​ the 21st of February​ from 5 pm to 8 pm. Art of Pottery and learning to let go. (Osaamme myös suomea, tervetuloa. Vi talar också svenska, välkommen).

Come along and have fun learning the pottery basics in a relaxed atmosphere. Throwing on the potter's wheel as therapeutic and relaxing. This thoughtful, meditative activity can open up the mind and relieve you of outside worries. At UDUMBARA you are submerged in a real pottery studio with an experienced potter (Eva Spoof). “For the first few months of learning to throw on a potter’s wheel, you struggle to center the clay. After that, the clay begins to center you. The clay tells you when you’re losing focus, and it teaches you to stay grounded and maintain concentration. Particularly on the first attempts, more often than not clay appears to be an uncontrollable organism with a mind of its own. As soon as the wheel starts to spin, the clay can buck and warp underneath your fingers, wobbling and deforming, even flying off the wheel in revolt. Squeeze too tightly, and it will distort. Rush the process and it will spin out of control. All there is in the moment is sensation under your fingers, breath in the belly and complete presence. It’s a challenging feat of concentration and multi-tasking, with one foot on the pedal controlling the speed, strong core engagement providing stability, skillful effort applied with palms and dexterous fingers used as tools for shaping. All the while the breath needs to remain steady and the mind clear.” -Lara Zilibowitz

This is the lesson of not making products, it is learning of the process. Learning to wedge the clay and find the center, centering and how to use the wheel and how learning to let go. We give 6 kg of clay for you to use for the class. Of course, if you make a piece you love, we will be happy to fire it, with extra cost 5 € or flowerpot (one firing), 10 € glazed (two firings and glazing).

Being able to fully focus something helps the mind relax and expand, which will help you focus on​ other areas of life as well. At Udumbara we use wild, natural clay from the small village of Kultela in Somero, Southwestern Finland. Our hands are an outlet for creativity, of touch is essential. We need the connection to the earth so that outside distractions are reduced and no longer stress you out. Pottery is also an excellent way to connect with yourself and others. Learning new techniques and can contribute to a lifetime commitment to learning.

We have four potters wheels in the studio. On one wheel everyone takes a turn with Eva (the experienced potter) she will make sure that everyone tries on the pottery wheel will be successful. One the other wheel´s you can test your skills on your own.

UDUMBARA pottery studio in Kallio (Berghäll) “the creative” district of Helsinki, just next to hip SAUNA ARLA and restaurants or bars nearby for you to continue into the evening if you wish. Eva can guide the workshops in English, Finnish and Swedish.

Refunds and Cancellations, General Class Information. Please read this in detail before the purchase. Thank you.

If you need to change your booking and it’s more than seven days in advance, we can offer a transfer to another date or a refund. Refunds are not available if cancellations are ​made within seven days of an agreed date. One half of the course fee will be held (for any reasons sickness etc.). No refunds within three days of workshop date. No refunds will be given once a workshop has happened. A full refund will be given if your workshop is canceled by the Udumbara Studio & Gallery for any reason. Udumbara will not be responsible for any unclaimed pottery after one month of the date of when they are ready.

Thank You and Welcome to UDUMBARA!