SSA Week 1 | Encaustic Tile: A Rare Ceramic Tradition

This week-long course is part of our annual Spring Sacred Arts (SSA) Program, beginning on Sunday, May 3rd and ending on Saturday, May 9th. Class takes place Monday morning through Friday morning, with additional programming on Sunday and Saturday.

Discover the art of encaustic-style ceramic tile making, a rare and historically significant craft. In this hands-on course, participants will learn to press clay onto carved plaster surfaces, fill the relief with coloured slip, and carefully scrape back to reveal intricate patterns. Drawing inspiration from Indian geometric designs, Islamic motifs, and Victorian encaustic tiles, students will explore a wide range of pattern possibilities and develop their own unique designs. Encaustic tile making is recognized on the UK’s Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts as critically endangered, with very few skilled practitioners and limited training opportunities. This course offers a rare opportunity to engage with, and help sustain, a heritage craft while building practical skills, confidence, and creativity. Participants will leave with a set of bisque-fired tiles and the knowledge to continue exploring encaustic techniques independently.

What creative modalities are used in this course?

Pattern exploration, plaster carving & pressing, slip application & refinement and bisque firing insights.

What will class time be like?

Participants will create a series of six or nine bisque-fired encaustic-style ceramic tiles using carved plaster molds. If tiles pressed on days two or three and refined on day four are bone dry by the end of day five, they can be loaded for bisque firing on the final day of class. If a slower drying process is preferred for best results, the final firing can take place after the course, with students collecting their finished work on an announced date.

Will I need to work outside of class?

Some optional studio time outside the scheduled three hours per day may be helpful for refining tiles and surface work, but it is not required to complete the projects.

Do I need experience to take this class?

No prior ceramics experience is required; it is accessible to beginners as well as those with some experience in hand-building or surface design.

What do I need to bring to class?

Comfortable studio clothing, a sketchbook or notebook, pencils, a compass (for pattern making), and any visual references for pattern inspiration. All essential art-making materials will be provided.