PHILADELPHIA WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE
MEMBERS ONLY! Invented Objects: A Ceramic Sculpture Workshop with Jill Allen in Philadelphia
A focused, members‑only studio workshop where Jill Allen leads pinch‑and‑slab building and mixed‑media sculpture, useful for artists wanting a concise guide to what the session covers and what to bring.
MEMBERS ONLY! Invented Objects: A Ceramic Sculpture Workshop with Jill Allen in Philadelphia.
Set in a members‑only studio environment in the Philadelphia area, The Invented Object invites students into a hands‑on session of pinch and slab building to create whimsical, other‑worldly sculptures. Led by Jill Allen, whose work draws on science fiction, technology and the imagination, the workshop emphasizes mixed media and the incorporation of found objects to transform clay into humorous inventions.
Highlights
Workshop Highlights
Pinch and Slab Building, Focused and Practical
Students will learn and apply pinch and slab techniques to construct sculptural objects. The session is built around hands‑on making rather than wheel throwing, with instructor guidance focused on form and inventive assembly.
Incorporating Found Objects and Materials
The workshop encourages the use of wire, plastic, fabric and found bits to become part of finished pieces; materials are provided, but participants are welcome to bring objects they want to incorporate.
Guidance from Jill Allen, a Studio Artist and Educator
Jill Allen brings an artist’s practice and teaching experience to the studio; her work—informed by curiosities of other worlds and the microcosm—has been exhibited and featured in ceramic publications.
What the day feels like
What the Workshop Feels Like
The session moves from demonstration to extended making: you begin by exploring basic pinch and slab forms, then layer in wire, fabric or found pieces to push sculptures toward playful, science‑fiction‑tinged inventions. Materials are supplied, and the workshop culminates with pieces prepared for bisque firing so your work can be collected after processing.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this workshop is made for — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Materials are provided, including a 5 lb allocation of clay; participants are encouraged to bring found objects or interesting bits they want to incorporate.
The workshop includes 5 lbs of clay and bisque firing of completed pieces as part of the session.
This is a members‑only workshop run by the studio operator; confirm membership access and studio policies with Black Hound Clay Studio South.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Is this workshop open to the public?
No. The workshop is members only.
What techniques will be taught?
The session focuses on pinch and slab building techniques for creating sculptural objects.
Are materials provided?
Yes. The workshop includes 5 lbs of clay and bisque firing; additional basic materials are provided by the studio.
Can I bring my own found objects to use in my sculpture?
Yes. Participants are encouraged to bring found objects or interesting bits to incorporate into their work.
Who teaches the workshop?
Jill Allen, a studio artist in the Philadelphia area and ceramics instructor at Saint Joseph’s University, leads the workshop.
What inspires the work taught in the workshop?
Allen’s sculptural practice is inspired by science fiction, technology, the microcosmos and the human imagination, which informs the inventive tone of the workshop.