STEVEN HILL’S JOURNEY WORKSHOP

2025-2026

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June 1-6, 2025

November 7-9, 2025

May 21-24, 2026

My journey began with a summer workshop in 1972, taught by Peter Sohngen. Since the early 80’s, I have shared MY aesthetic and techniques in over 300 workshops. This workshop is different; it is about you and your relationship with clay. This journey is YOURS. – Steven Hill

You are inspired, You are motivated, Begin your journey… now!

What inspires you? Art? Music? Nature? Technology? Architecture? Each of us is capable of expressing unique individuality in our ceramic work. Is your work as personal as you would like it to be or does it seem more like a collection of techniques learned from others? 

Your journey begins with 6½ days exploring your relationship with clay at Alison Palmer’s Studio. Through a combination of individual critique, group discussion and hands-on experimentation, you will set in motion the search for personal expression. You will leave The Journey Workshop with a plan for the upcoming year and return to your studio with focus, renewed motivation, a group of peers and a mentor to help keep you on track.  

Who is a prime candidate for the Journey Workshop?

This workshop is perfect for the professional who feels stale, for the amateur who wants to develop their body of work, or anyone who wants to take their pottery or sculptural work to a deeper, more personal level. It is helpful to be comfortable with your basic techniques, as this workshop is not technically oriented. In the past, however, people at all levels of expertise have benefited greatly from taking the Journey Workshop. 

Workshop Structure

For the first weeklong session, bring as much information about yourself as possible… images or examples of recent pottery or other artwork, a journal or sketchbook, music, or anything relevant to your individuality. Each day during the initial week we will spend about half of our time in class discussions. The rest of your time will be spent working in clay, drawing, journaling, or other individualized creative activities, applying insight gained in the class. Towards the end of the initial week, you will write a personal contract to help formulate your plan for the upcoming year. We will meet for a mid-year critique at Alison Palmer’s Studio on November 7-9. Finally, on May 21-24, 2025, we will reconvene for final critiques and to share and celebrate our individual journeys. The workshop will culminate with a show, which will be primarily for the class, along with close friends and family.

You will NOT be learning Steven Hill’s techniques in The Journey Workshop. Instead, this workshop is designed to help you find YOUR voice in clay. Steven will push you to go deeper and discover personal ways of expressing yourself. Yes, it is true there is nothing “new” in art, but that doesn’t prevent you from bringing your authentic spirit as a potter, sculptor, artist and human being to your personal work.

The Journey Workshop DOES NOT INCLUDE firing at Alison Palmer’s Studio, unless you would like your work to be bisque fired to take with you. The work made for the show at the end of the Journey Workshop will be made and fired in your studio throughout the upcoming year.

Reading for the Journey Workshop

In preparation for your journey, Steven would like everyone to read about creativity There has been an explosion of books on creativity! These are 4 that I think could be beneficial.

I’m not asking anyone to read 4 books! If I was given that assignment I would rebel! I encourage you to look at all of them and pick one or two to add to your library. 

My assignment from the above books will be to share with the class 1 or 2 concepts you feel might be helpful for your creative process that were clarified through reading. To be perfectly honest, reading books on creativity is not essential to being creative, but the right words can potentially inspire and help motivate!

Journey Facebook Page

Everyone will be invited to sign up for a private Journey Facebook page. The purpose is to help build community amongst the group by posting your successes and failures and encouraging discussion with your peers. I will occasionally check in and respond to questions and work you’ve posted, but the main purpose is to encourage back and forth communication within the group.

Private Critiques

I am available for FaceTime or Zoom critiques throughout the year. Most of the time my availability is at 9 or 10am or after 7pm CST in the evenings. Critiques can be set up in advance, but most of the time I’m available within a few days. Please have the work you would like to talk about in a well-lit room and have a banding wheel available. A phone camera is usually adequate. The cost is $90 an hour and payment can be made through Venmo, PayPal, or personal check.

Workshop Schedule:

  • June 1-6, 2025 – Initial weeklong workshop at Alison Palmer’s Studio. The workshop will begin on Sunday, June 1 at 6pm, with a welcome session.
    • June – November 2025 – Studio work and preparation for mid-year critique.
  • November 7-9, 2025 – Mid-year critique at Alison Palmer’s Studio.
    • November – May 2025 – Studio work and preparation for show.
  • May 221-24, 2026 – Journey final critique, show and celebration at Alison Palmer’s Studio.

Additional Reading

A recent article discussing Steven’s philosophy on teaching Journey Workshops, Finding Your Voice: Influences and Guidelines, https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/ceramics-monthly/ceramics-monthly-article/finding-your-voice-influences-and-guidelineswas in the October 2023, Ceramics Monthly. 

Questions about the Journey Workshop? Contact Steven Hill directly: sahill@me.com 

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Steven Hill’s Journey Workshop 2023- 2024