Chess Set

Strategy & Form

$500

Includes all materials and tool use

Explore strategic game objects through clay. Learn how form, symbolism, and hierarchy shape each piece. Create a complete handcrafted chess set that reflects your personal artistic vision while honoring centuries of design tradition.

Duration 5 weeks (15 hours)
Schedule Friday, 6–9 PM
Class Size Maximum 6 participants
Experience No experience needed
Deposit $100 (non-refundable)

32 Pieces, One Vision

The chess set is one of design's greatest challenges: create 32 pieces that are instantly recognizable, visually distinct by rank, and unified as a coherent whole. From medieval ivory carvings to modernist abstractions, designers have interpreted this challenge in countless ways—and now it's your turn.

In this workshop, you'll design and create a complete chess set from clay. We'll study historical and contemporary examples, explore how form communicates hierarchy and identity, and develop techniques for producing consistent, well-crafted multiples. The result is a functional art object you'll treasure for years.

What You'll Learn

  • Designing within systematic constraints
  • Creating consistent multiples by hand
  • Proportion, scale, and visual hierarchy
  • Pinch, coil, and solid-form techniques
  • Surface treatment for two-color distinction
  • History of chess set design across cultures

Who Is This For?

This workshop appeals to chess enthusiasts, design lovers, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of function and form. Whether you play competitively or simply appreciate beautiful objects, you'll find meaning in creating something both useful and personal.

No clay experience is required. You'll leave with a complete 32-piece set ready for firing—plus the satisfaction of having solved one of design's most elegant puzzles in your own unique way.

Why Learn With Us?

01

Beyond Pottery

We teach far more than handbuilding techniques. Our courses focus on structure, volume, proportion, and artistic thinking. This is a place where form matters, not a pottery workshop.

02

Artistic Context

Each object is grounded in art history and cultural meaning. From ancient civilizations to modern movements, you create with awareness, depth, and inspiration, not repetition.

03

Confidence & Direction

We guide you from idea to finished work with clear structure and feedback. You leave not just with objects, but with the confidence to develop your own projects independently.

Ready to Begin?

Spaces are limited to 6 participants. Reserve your spot today.

Register Now Contact Us