If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at creating stunning works of art, you cannot go wrong with a trip to Clayworks at Kilohana. Set in the tropical Kilohana Plantation, this pottery studio promises to kickstart your creative side with its many excellent workshops. At the end of each class, you’ll get to walk away with a creation all your own plus tons of stories to tell when you get back home.
For a chance to work with clay, you’ll need to call ahead of time to sign up for your class of choice. Most classes last between 30 minutes to an hour, giving you plenty of time to work one-on-one with the instructor. Once you select a workshop, just show up at the set date and time to get started. Be sure to arrive early, so you can take in the beauty of the plantation while making your way to the pottery studio.
At the start of each class, your instructor will introduce you to the tools, materials, and techniques used in the creation process. Then, they will walk you through the steps, allowing you to unleash your creativity and make a one-of-a-kind memento of your trip to Kauai. You’ll likely have many other fellow travelers in your class, allowing everyone to riff off each other and bring tons of beauty into the world.
If you’d like to create gorgeous pottery alongside all your travel mates, you can book a private group workshop. You’ll need to pay for five hours of studio time for each student in your group to reserve your spot. The instructor will help you arrange weekly class times on either Tuesday or Friday between 3 pm and 5 pm. During each class period, you’ll get to design your own works of art using the equipment and materials available onsite.
Come by Clayworks at Kilohana to try:
Basic Wheel Throwing
The Basic Wheel Throwing class gives you a chance to mold a lump of clay into a truly exquisite work of art. During this one-hour class, you’ll learn how to bring the clay up into a cylinder, open it up, and level the rim. Once it’s finished, it’ll sit on the shelf to dry for several days, and then you’ll get an invitation to come back and apply a coat of glaze. About one to two weeks later, it’ll be ready for pick up.
The Magic of Raku
The Magic of Raku workshop lets you see just what it’s like to create stunning pottery in a low fire process. At the start of the class, you’ll select your bisque pottery, and then learn how to apply the Raku glaze. After that, you’ll get to see the Raku firing happen right before your very eyes. Once it’s done, your pottery will need a day or two to cure before you can take it home.
Children’s Workshops
Every Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon, the Clayworks at Kilohana pottery studio opens its doors to the little ones for their Children’s Workshops. Each one-hour class introduces kids to the top hand-building clay techniques plus texturing, glazing, and so much more.
If you’d like to take your experience to the next level, plan to attend the special events at Clayworks at Kilohana. You can call and ask what’s coming up or just check the calendar on the website. All throughout the year, they have gallery shows, holiday celebrations, and special workshops, like flower arranging classes.
Insider Tips:
-Depending on what you create, your item will likely be ready for pick up in one day to two weeks. Most Raku creations only take a day to complete, while pottery made on the wheel takes up to two full weeks.
-If you cannot come back to Clayworks at Kilohana for your item before returning home, just ask them to ship it to you.
-When taking the basic wheel throwing class, you’ll need to come back a few days later to apply the glaze to your piece.