International
Clay & Culture
Travel Workshops
Immersive multi-day workshops in culturally rich locations combining studio time, museum visits, local food, and ceramics history. Led by Kala, limited to 10 participants.
Online · On Demand
Online Courses
Learn at your own pace with curated online courses on Thinkific. Topics range from surface design and sgraffito to building complex forms, beginner through advanced levels.
In-Studio · Sonoma & Beyond
Hands-On Studio
Workshops
Technique-focused workshops held at Kala Stein Studio in downtown Sonoma and beyond. Small groups, personal instruction, and access to materials, clay, glaze, and kiln firing.
upcoming Exhibition
132 MATHESON, HEALDSBURG, CA | OCTOBER 1–4, 2026Design Healdsburg with Kala Stein
CERAMIC SURFACES FROM THE NATURAL WORLD
Pop up solo exhibition @ 132 Matheson
McIntyre Tile Factory panel & tour Oct. 2, 9:30am & 11am, register
Free Artist Talk @ 132 Matheson, Oct. 3, 1:45pm, register
Curated pop up at AJD
Join Kala during Design Healdsburg for a closer look at ceramics as both art and architecture. On October 2, From Earth to Architecture takes you behind the scenes of tile making in Sonoma County, with Kala Stein and McIntyre Tile. You'll see how clay, glaze, and craft become surfaces that shape the spaces we live in and how sustainable practices are central to Kala’s research and work. On October 3, Ceramic Surfaces from the Natural World is an artist talk and gallery at 132 Matheson, where Kala shares how landscape, texture, and process inform her work plus learn how she collaborates with designers and collectors on bespoke commissions.
You are invited to be in direct conversation with the maker- learn how a material moves from studio experiment to architectural application, ask questions at the source, and find collaborators for future projects. Handmade surfaces are increasingly central to thoughtful interiors, and Design Healdsburg is a rare chance to experience them up close.
Space is limited, so reserve early.
workshops
Learn, make, and explore
An invitation to slow down, work with clay, and learn directly from Kala. She offers immersive ceramic experiences across the globe, intimate in-studio workshops, private lessons, and small group workshops available by request.
In-Studio Workshops
January & February, 2027 · KALA'S Sonoma StudioExperimental surfaces
A hands-on, research-driven workshop exploring approaches and techniques for atmospheric inspired surfaces in an electric kiln at cone 5/6. We will focus on fluxes and refractories, with access to Kala’s raw materials, glazes, slips, colorants, and foraged additions across three firings. Learn how to load, program and fire an electric kiln, analyze test results, then hone your discoveries to apply to your work. Limited to 6 participants. We will meet for 3 hours, twice a week, for two weeks. All levels welcome.
$475 · Includes raw materials & firing
Get on the list to be notified when the dates are released.
In-studio workshops are held at 148 East Napa Street, Sonoma, CA.
Kala also teaches at studios across the country throughout the year.
For private lessons or small group sessions, reach out directly at kala@kalastein.com.
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Color & Pattern
Foundations of Colored Clay & Pattern Design
Instructor: Cody Hoyt
A 2 hour Zoom workshop covering the foundations of working with colored clay: tools and material preparation, fundamental techniques for mixing, marbling and patterning colored clay. Cody will demonstrate a range of color and pattern methods he uses ranging from loose, abstract marbling into concise engineered patterns.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
$75
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Coil Building
S27 Journey to the Moon Jar
Instructor: Joanne Seong Weon Lee
A 4-part Zoom workshop to learn the fundamentals of coil building a Korean-inspired Moon Jar with porcelain (or your choice of clay). Joanne will teach her technique and of working with fine coils. Beginner-Intermediate levels.
Winter/spring 2027 dates TBA, please check back in November.
$195
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Surface Design
Storytelling on Clay
Instructor: Sue Tirrell
Explore image, form, and surface starting with found or unique imagery. Sue guides you through drawing and rendering, covering the fundamentals of surface design for both functional and sculptural ceramics.
$270
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Form Building
Building Complex Forms Using Templates
Instructor: Giselle Hicks
Introduction to making and using templates to bring shape to the base of a form, building and assembling components, making directional transitions, adding feet and more. For all levels. 2-hour Zoom workshop.
$60
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Color & Pattern
Colored Clay Collages
Instructor: Joanna Poag
Host: Kala SteinLearn the fundamentals of mixing colored clays using mason stains and use them to create engaging patterned compositions. Applicable to functional ware, tile, and sculptural work. Beginner to advanced.
$60
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Surface design
Mishima & Sgraffito
Instructor: Whitney Smith
Host: Kala SteinTwo approaches to surface design for achieving controlled, colorful, and stunning surfaces. For all levels and all types of ceramic work, from functional to sculptural. On demand, watch anytime.
$270
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Coil Building
Advanced Coil Building: Prunus Vase
Instructor: Joanne Lee
Joanne Lee teaches her signature porcelain coil-building technique through the making of a curvilinear Prunus Vase. A focused, advanced-level workshop delivered as a 90-day video rental.
$50
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Mold Making
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Hand Building
Building Zig Zag Vessels
Instructor: Giselle Hicks ·
Giselle Hicks's iconic zig-zag vessels are built using coil and pinch hand-building techniques. Open to all levels, beginner through advanced. 90-day access.
$55
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Hand Building
Hand Building
Instructor: Giselle Hicks
Giselle Hicks's spherical forms and vessels, built with a coil and pinch technique from her Helena studio. A great companion to the Zig Zag Vessels course. All levels welcome. 90-day access.
$55
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International Workshops
Aegina, Greece | 2028 dates TBA | Join WAIT LIST BELOWClay & Culture
Workshop in Greece
A 10-DAY workshop and cultural immersion on the island of Aegina, beginning with museum visits in Athens, including the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art, before moving to Aegina to make work at the Cool Projects Studio, explore ancient and contemporary ceramics, and experience the food and culture of the island.
This trip was personally researched and planned by Kala in partnership with Meraki Travel Experiences, including routes, accommodations, studio time, and guided stops. It will be amazing.
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