In this K-12 Educator workshop, participants will join Matthew Dercole, teaching artist Watershed’s Studio Manager, to develop and expand their glaze palette through testing strategies and color blends utilizing mason stains and metal oxides. Participants will be engaged hands-on in Watershed’s glaze lab, learning about glaze materials, testing tools, and techniques to develop a glaze palette. The workshop will focus on cone 6 oxidation firing, but these techniques are broadly applicable to other temperature ranges and firing approaches. Participants will be supplied with test tiles to use, but are encouraged to bring bisque ware and their own test tiles for additional testing and application.
October 16 & 17, 2025
K-12 Educator Fee: $75 (includes meals & materials)
Optional Housing (now free of charge!)
About Matthew
Now Watershed’s Studio and Facilities Manager, Matthew recently moved from Hartford, CT where he taught ceramics at the University of Hartford for nearly a decade. He received his MFA in Ceramics from the University of Iowa and has been an Artist-in-Residence at the Lux Center for the Arts in Lincoln, NE, Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago, IL, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN. Matthew has worked for artist Theaster Gates, the Clay Studio in Philadelphia, PA, and has held instructor positions in ceramics at multiple art centers and universities across the US. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including museums in Spain, Croatia, South Korea, and Slovenia.
Workshop Schedule
Daily Schedule:
Thursday, Oct 16: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct 17: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Please arrive at the Commons by 8:45 a.m. each day to grab breakfast; instruction begins at the studio at 9:00 a.m. The group will break for lunch at 12:30 p.m.
What to Bring
Watershed will provide:
- Small containers for taking glaze home
- Well-stocked glaze lab with dry materials & equipment
- Base glaze for testing
- Cone 6 test tiles
- Personal Protective Equipment
Participants should bring:
- Notebook & pen
- Mason stains: a 1/4 pound of any color is more than enough, but participants are welcome to bring multiple colors.
- Watershed has minimal mason stain in stock in mostly shades of pink.
- Brushes
- Optional: mid-range bisqueware & test tiles (cone 4-6)
Housing & Meals
Meals
- Watershed provides continental breakfast and lunch Thursday and Friday.
- Vegetarian and gluten free diets can be accommodated.
- Those with additional dietary needs are welcome to bring supplemental food to store and prepare in Watershed’s studio kitchenette.
- Workshop participants make their own dinner arrangements. Various restaurants and take-out options are accessible via car.
On-Campus Housing
Thanks to the generous support of the Onion and Anonimo Foundations, Watershed is able to offer a limited number of single and double occupancy rooms free of charge, which will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bathroom facilities are shared but can be used by one person at a time, much like a bathroom in a home. Participants must bring their own sheets, blankets, and bath towels. Pillows and mattress pads are provided.
Participants may also elect to stay off campus.
Those staying overnight at Watershed on October 15 should arrive between 2:00 p.m. and NO LATER THAN 4:00 p.m. to check in and be shown to their room.
Those staying at Watershed only on October 16 will be shown to their rooms after lunch.
Payment & Refunds
- The workshop fee and any housing fees are due in full with your registration.
- Please familiarize yourself with Watershed’s Cancellation Policy.
- Participants must agree to follow Watershed’s health & safety guidelines. Read them here.