Olivia Tani

Strengths of the Slab: Engineering Planar Architecture

September 27 - October 2, 2026

Intermediate

Clay, Sculpture

Overview

This workshop invites students to discover the full possibilities of slab construction by developing a strong awareness of the states of clay. Students will learn to use basic bisque molds as a stepping stone to shape complex and dynamic architecture, moving beyond the traditional expectations of slab building to create playful and unique sculptural vessels. Post-construction, this workshop will focus on refinement and finishing techniques that accentuate 3D composition. Students will refine design decisions using a series of ribs to sharpen their contours. By the end of the workshop, students will leave with experience in using basic tools to achieve unexpected but fully realized works that conceal the engineering beneath the surface.

Course Fee : $760.00

Scholarships & Material Fees

Need help covering workshop costs? Arrowmont offers financial aid opportunities to broaden access to our arts and craft programs. We believe a diverse community enriches the learning experience for all.

Material fees are not included in our national workshop costs, but are included with the cost of our winter short workshops. A material list with estimated costs will be emailed about 30 days before the national workshop begins.

TUITION & FEES

SCHOLARSHIPS

Cost Breakdown

Registration Fee

$50.00

One Week Workshop Tuition

$760.00

Estimated Cost*
*Fees exclude housing and meal plans

$810.00

VIEW HOUSING & MEAL PLAN COSTS

Artist Bio

Olivia Tani

Olivia is a ceramic artist and educator based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she maintains a studio and is represented in the sales gallery at the Northern Clay Center (NCC). She earned her BFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2017 and was subsequently the 2017-2018 Fogelberg Studio Fellowship resident artist at the NCC. Olivia has exhibited and taught around the country, including a visiting artist role at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and presentations at The Alabama Clay Conference and Ohio University’s Atmospheric Firing Symposium; she will also be teaching at the Gaya Ceramic Arts Center in Bali, Indonesia in 2026. Recognized as a 2024 Emerging Artist in Ceramics Monthly's contest, her practice and techniques are also featured in several of the magazine's publications.

Artist Website

Explore the Ceramics Studio

Located in the historic West Building, the Ceramic Studios are a multi-room complex dedicated to all our clay loving students. Featuring both a wheel throwing studio and hand-building studio, shared spaces between these classrooms include a hot box, electric kiln room, train kiln yard (soda and wood firing), and glaze room. With dedicated, professional studio staff on-hand to assist, Arrowmont is prepared to meet every knead – err need.

Explore the Ceramics Studio