Workshops
I am currently teaching one-on-one week-long Studio Shadow Session workshops here in my Montana studio.
Shadow Session Information
How do I register for a Studio Shadow Session?
You can register for a Studio Shadow Session by sending me a brief email indicating your area of interest as well as your preferred duration (5-day or 7-day) for your session.
What if I don’t have easy access to a computer or have an email address?
Not a problem. You may call to register at (720) 244-5243.
Will I receive information about the session?
Yes. Immediately following completion of session registration, you will be emailed a receipt and a confirmation letter with detailed information about the session schedule and about traveling to Helena so you can make preparations. You will also receive a reminder email a month before your session that will include detailed information about what you will want to bring.
Payments and Cost
How do I pay for a session?
Payment in full is due at time of registration. All major credit cards are accepted and can be paid here. Cash, check, and gift certificates are eligible for registration over the phone.
Will there be extra costs beyond the session price?
Your session price covers tuition and materials that are essential to the session topic. 50 pounds of clay will be provided, additional clay will need to be purchased by students wanting more clay. Students are asked to bring basic tools and will be provided with a list of any extra tools they may want to bring for the session.
Additional costs outside of the session will include travel, transportation, housing accommodations, food and any tools or materials purchased for personal use beyond what has been provided for the workshop to take home after the workshop. The Archie Bray Clay Business is right down the road and offers a variety of clay bodies as well as a large selection of tools for purchase. For more information, go online at archiebrayclay.com or call the Clay Business 800/443-6434 or 406/442-2521. Normal Clay Business hours are Monday–Friday 9 am–5 pm and Saturday 9 am–1 pm. To ensure that your desired items are in-stock, you may put in an order ahead of the session.
Cancellation, Rescheduling, and Refunds
I have to cancel my registration. Am I eligible for a refund?
The one-on-one nature of the sessions makes it easy to reschedule a session if originally scheduled dates no longer work for a participant and they wish to attend a session at another date.
If notification of a cancellation is made 60 days or more before the first scheduled day of the workshop, registrants will receive a full refund less a $250 cancellation and processing fee.
Hosting and organizing requires me to invest considerably into planning for sessions. Cancellations are often difficult to fill. Cancellation fees help to offset these vacancies. Cancellations 59 days or less before the first scheduled day of the session will not be eligible for a refund. If unforeseen circumstances cause Adam Field Pottery to cancel a session, session registrants will receive a full refund or be given the option to attend another session. Although I have never canceled a session, registrants are urged to make flexible travel arrangements (e.g. refundable airline tickets or trip insurance). Adam Field Pottery is not responsible for any losses on non-refundable travel arrangements.
Accommodations and Transportation
Are there rooms available at Adam Field Pottery?
Yes, there is a studio apartment with a king size and full bed, full kitchen, and full bathroom conveniently located here at Adam Field Pottery for $80/night plus a $60 cleaning fee. Pricing is similar to comparable Airbnb rentals in the area.
Where do session participants stay during their session?
Aside from the studio apartment Adam Field Pottery has limited RV parking (1 spot) and multiple tent camping spaces. Common recommendations include Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel, and Airbnb or VRBO locations. For more information about hotels in Helena, visit HelenaMT.com. Camping is available at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds Campground and Cromwell Dixon Campground.
Is there camping available at Adam Field Pottery?
Yes. There is space for tent camping on the property with access to the studio restroom. Note, this does not include shower access. Nearby Broadwater Hot Springs is a good option for campers in search of a warm shower and a wonderful soak! The closest campsite is Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds Campground, Cromwell Dixon Campground comes recommended as well.
Can I bring my dog?
Regrettably, Adam Field Pottery does not allow session attendees to bring their dogs to sessions. Please leave your pets at home during your session. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Does Helena have an airport?
Yes. Participants may fly into Helena through Helena Regional Airport (HLN). Just a short 15 minute drive from the studio.
I won’t have a car. Is there public transportation I can use?
No. Helena is a small town without public transportation. I recommend renting a vehicle if your accommodations are not walkable to the studio or you would like the independence of exploring the Helena area. Bike rentals are available through Big Sky Cycling & Fitness.
If I extend my trip or bring a friend, what else can I do in the Helena area?
Near Adam Field Pottery is a small spring-fed man-made lake called Spring Meadow Lake. It is a great place to take a quick swim or a nice walk. Thirty minutes east are a couple larger lakes called Canyon Ferry Lake and Hauser Lake and just northeast you can find the Missouri River. These areas offer nice beaches and many opportunities for sailing, canoeing, wind surfing, boating, fishing and rafting. A couple of Helena health clubs have gyms, spas and swimming pools. There is also a city pool which is heated. Just outside the studio is Mount Helena, a beautiful mountain city park where people may hike and picnic. Nearby are many mountain bike trails, camping spots, hot springs and golf courses. As you may know, both Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks are less than a four-hour drive from Helena. Please visit HelenaMT.com to explore Helena area attractions.
The Session
I’m flying and would like to ship my tools there ahead of time.
Can I do that?
Yes. Anything that you would like to send ahead of you can be shipped to:
Adam Field
3225 LeGrande Cannon Blvd.
Helena, MT 59601
What do I bring to my session?
I recommend bringing your preferred clay tools, particularly those relevant to the topic of the session. You will receive an email one month before the workshop with more detailed information regarding which tools you should bring and what Adam Field Pottery is providing. Adam Field Pottery will provide materials and studio equipment that are essential to the session topic, including clay, glaze, etc.
What is a typical schedule for our session?
Our session will run from 10 am–5pm every day with an hour lunch. The first day begins with an orientation. The session will go until 5 pm on the last day.
Where will my session take place?
The session will take place in the main studio and summer studio at Adam Field Pottery which has been in operation since June of 2017.
Will lunch be provided during the session?
No. Participants are responsible for their own lunch. The studio does not have easily walkable lunch locations. If you have a vehicle, you will have the opportunity to go get lunch. There is a refrigerator, microwave and eating area available for participants use in the studio and a full kitchen for those who have reserved the 3rd floor apartment. I recommend students bring a sack lunch or bring cash for purchasing lunch in town.
How long will the session break for lunch?
Session scheduling is flexible and participants can take breaks as needed.
Studio Use
Can I work in the studio outside of allotted session hours?
Yes! The studio is open to session participants staying in the 3rd floor apartment 24 hours daily during your scheduled session days. For participants staying off property studio hours are limited to 8:30 am through 8:00 pm daily.
Can I rent studio access before or after the scheduled session days?Yes, I am open to discussing additional studio rental on a case by case basis.
I really want to take my piece(s) home, how does that work?
I understand that you will work really hard during the session and may want to take home work. I will fire and ship your work after the end of your session for a firing and packing fee of $50 per box plus shipping costs. It will need to fit in a 16”x16”16” box for shipping. I apply the same best practices to your work as I do when shipping my own artwork.
I see that we are going to be glaze firing and I have been asked to bring bisque ware, what do I need to know?
Yes, Please bring about 6-15 pieces no larger than 6” in any dimension of HIGH FIRE (cone 10) bisque ware. We will start the workshop off by glazing, loading, and firing my gas reduction kiln.
I forgot my tools! Is there somewhere I can buy tools?
Yes! The Archie Bray Clay Business is right down the road and they stock all the tools you may need. For more information visit www.archiebrayclay.com or call the Clay Business 800/443-6434 or 406/442-2521. Normal Clay Business hours are Monday–Friday 9 am–5 pm and Saturday 9 am–1 pm. To ensure that your desired items are in-stock, you may put in an order ahead of your session.
What kind of clay will we use?
Bray Clay. The Archie Bray Foundation manufactures a selection of their own clays and offers select Plainsman and Laguna clays. Session will be optional for porcelain or stoneware based on your preference I recommend the Archie Bray High Fire Grolleg Porcelain or Archie Bray Foundation Stoneware. Participants will receive an email one month before their session with more detailed information regarding which tools you should bring and what the studio is providing.
