Workshop Description:
Ever wanted to try mold making and slip casting but didn’t know where to start? This hands-on workshop is all about jumping in and getting comfortable with plaster. Dara Hartman will guide you through the process of making your own molds—whether you’re interested in slip casting or press molds—one step at a time.
We’ll mix plaster, talk through the right ratios (no guesswork), figure out how to get rid of pesky air bubbles, and clean everything up so your molds are ready to use. Along the way, we’ll look at different kinds of molds, how they work, and why you would make them.
Dara will also share a behind-the-scenes look at her own work, including how she builds her large-scale ceramic quilts—from designing and making molds to casting multiples and putting all the pieces together.
You’ll leave with your own one-part mold and the confidence to keep experimenting in your studio.
Participant Skill Level:
All skill levels are welcomed!
Artist Bio:
Dara Hartman is a full time studio artist in Salt Lake City, UT and the Director of the Women Working With Clay Symposium at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. Dara is the 2026 Frances Niederer Artist-in-Residence at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. She served as the Exhibitions Committee Chair and regional team support for the 2025 Salt Lake City NCECA.
Dara received a BFA from Virginia Tech and an MFA from Montana State University. In 2005, she was an Artist in Residence at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT. She has taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Clark College in Vancouver, WA, and Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland, OR. Dara’s career includes a stint as a product designer and design team leader which led to traveling in China and working with factories on model design and production. In 2018, Dara was a Resident Artist at the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute in Jingdezhen, China.
See more of Dara’s Work on her website https://www.darahartman.com/
Suggested Participant Materials:
• Small model for casting (Ideally a tile approximately 1” thick, no more than 6”x6” wide with no undercuts-see below)
• 18” x 18” (approximate) sheet of plexiglass or laminate shelving
• Particulate Mask/Dust Mask
• Assorted Clay Tools (fettling knife, metal rib, sponge, wire tool, needle tool)
• Extra Metal Rib, Sponge for plaster
Sandwiches and Drinks will be provided. Please bring a side or a dessert to share!
