Workshop/Retreat with Jordan Coons-------------July 12-18, 2026
THE MAGIC OF DOUBLE WALLED POTTERY
Join Jordan Coons in rural Portugal for an immersive 5-day workshop exploring the magic of double-walled pottery. Together, we’ll handbuild and throw/assemble layered vessels, learning the structural techniques that make these forms possible — and the carving methods Jordan uses to transform solid walls of clay into intricate, light-catching surfaces.
This workshop is about more than technique. It’s about patience, subtraction, and discovering how removing clay can reveal something more honest underneath. Expect demos, guided practice, problem-solving, and plenty of time to experiment.
Artists will complete at least one luminary on the first day, which can be bisque fired (and optionally glazed) to take home. Additional pieces will focus on skill-building and exploration. Bisque firing and shipping (or local pickup) approximately one week after the workshop is available for an additional packing and shipping fee.
Come ready to carve, question, slow down, and build forms that hold both light and shadow.
Meet
Jordan Coons
Jordan Coons is an accomplished ceramic artist and arts educator based in Syracuse, NY, whose work bridges the gap between craft and artistry. Her unique approach combines functional and conceptual elements, exploring themes of human nature, resilience, strength, and fragility.
Artist Statement
As a ceramic artist, I am captivated by the metaphor of the body as a vessel. To me, each of my pieces represents a unique being, with an ornately carved and decorative exterior that mirrors the diverse ways in which we adorn our own bodies.Beyond its exterior beauty, however, each vessel also serves as a window into the inner self. Negative space offers glimpses of the inner vessel, a concept that speaks to our interactions with one another and the ability to truly see and know others beyond surface-level appearances.While the exterior of my work is visually striking, the functional interior is where its true value lies. My pieces serve multiple purposes, from drinking vessels to planters to bowls, much like the human body is both physically functional and home to the heart, soul, and mind.In embracing the uniqueness of each piece, I lean into the imperfections and challenge the rigid expectations of production pottery. Whether it's a noticeable crack or a subtle slip-up from carving, every flaw offers an opportunity to sit with the discomfort of the intersection between unrealistic ideals and reality.My art speaks to the dehumanizing narratives that permeate our society, reminding us that we are all imperfect and vulnerable, with exteriors that can break at any moment. By treating one another with care and compassion, we can begin to see beyond the surface and connect with the complex heart, soul, and mind that resides within us all.
About the Workshop
Join Jordan Coons in rural Portugal for an immersive 5-day workshop exploring the magic of double-walled pottery. Together, we’ll handbuild and throw/assemble layered vessels, learning the structural techniques that make these forms possible — and the carving methods Jordan uses to transform solid walls of clay into intricate, light-catching surfaces.
This workshop is about more than technique. It’s about patience, subtraction, and discovering how removing clay can reveal something more honest underneath. Expect demos, guided practice, problem-solving, and plenty of time to experiment.
Artists will complete at least one luminary on the first day, which can be bisque fired (and optionally glazed) to take home. Additional pieces will focus on skill-building and exploration.
* Bisque firing and shipping (or local pickup) approximately one week after the workshop is available for an additional packing and shipping fee.
Come ready to carve, question, slow down, and build forms that hold both light and shadow
What's Included
This five day workshop runs Monday July 13 through Friday July 18. Traveling guests are encouraged to arrive on Sunday 7/12 to get settled and for our welcome dinner. Guests will depart on Saturday July 19, unless they choose to stay an extra week to practice techniques learned in the class.
There are three tiers for participation:
- All inclusive with Lodging: Is available for four guests, and includes lodging at Villa do Barro, 24/7 studio access, light breakfast buffet, 3 lunches, and four dinners, plus transportation and a local guide for half day and full day explorations of local towns Caldas da Rainha and Obidos with a focus on Portuguese culture, art and architecture. Meals on these day trips (1 lunch and 2 dinners) are not included in the price of the retreat. All materials are included, and one luminary will be bisque fired/glazed to take home.
- All Inclusive without Lodging: Visiting guests will enjoy the same offering as above, excluding lodging at Villa do Barro. We have partnerships with three local accommodations and can help facilitate booking those spaces. Two locations are walkable, one requires a 7 minute drive.
- Workshop Only: Local artists can choose to participate in the workshop only, which includes materials, class time, instruction and lunches. Optional: we invite local artists to add on the Welcome and Farewell dinners. This package does not include the day tours or other meals, but modifications can be made as available.
- Not Included: Airfare and airport transportation from Lisbon are not included, but we can help make arrangements as needed.
From Portland to Portugal: the evolution of Well Traveled Wares
In late 2024, my husband Nick and I relocated to a small agricultural village in the Silver Coast area of Portugal. We found a plot of land with two houses, and a giant garage big enough to house a ceramic studio. The bigger house was transformed into a residency house for up to 4 guest artists, and in 2025 they began hosting artists for residencies and teaching classes to local artists. Thus creating a new play on "Well Traveled Wares" and expanding it to visiting and local artists, and the wares they create here and travel home with.