Clay Holds Memory: A Grief Workshop

Service Description

A phrase heard often in ceramics is “clay has memory.” Typically, this refers to the material ways that clay retains memory of practices and shaping from the make process. However, clay also offers a creative, reflective space to grieve the people we’ve lost and create pieces that honor their memory. In this one-day workshop, we will craft memory altars that allow us a space to hold memories of the people we grieve, whether that includes beloved photos, objects that are special in our memory of them, candles to foster ritual or reflection, or more. Participants may choose to engage in reflection or conversation (all optional!) while crafting their memory altars. This is a beginner-friendly workshop; participants may use studio-provided templates for their memory altars or more advanced participants may create their own design. While this class is not to be considered as professional psychological treatment, there will be a licensed therapist present in the class. Leon Back, LICSW is a therapist working in the mental health field since 2013. He was certified as an End of Life Doula by The University of Vermont Professional and Continuing Education. Brittany (she/her) is a ceramicist and clay teacher who makes functional wares for the cozy corners in our lives.