Radical Paper Clay Masterclass

with Graham Hay

Break new ground in your art, push the boundaries of paper clay and elevate your artistic practice.

This masterclass is taught by internationally renowned sculptor Graham Hay. It is an invitation to embark on a creative journey, discovering the radical possibilities of paper clay as a medium for contemporary sculpture. View Graham’s work here on his website.

Join us, no matter where you are on your creative journey, and gain insight into all aspects of art practice — from concept to execution. Under Graham Hay’s guidance, you’ll learn how to move from an initial idea through experimentation, material exploration, and technical skill-building, right through to the creation of finished, contemporary sculptural works. You’ll uncover strategies for developing your artistic voice, refining your techniques, and sustaining a professional practice that reflects your unique vision.

“An international clay revolution has been quietly building for the past two decades, as ceramic artists around the world begin to recognise the remarkable advantages of working with paper clay. Paper clay overcomes many of the limitations of traditional clay and opens new freedoms in the studio. The paper fibres make it stronger when dry, help it dry faster with less cracking, and can cut drying times from days to hours — all while allowing the radical joining of wet to dry, dry to dry, and even fired to unfired clay. And the most exciting part is that the potential of paper clay is still unfolding, with new ways of using it emerging all the time.”

Graham Hay

MASTERCLASS STRUCTURE

Start your journey with an introduction to the course and to Graham Hay, the internationally recognised pioneer of paper clay. Learn about the advantages of paper clay as a material, what materials and tools you’ll need, and the key health and safety practices to keep in mind. You’ll also gain access to a suppliers list to make sourcing easier, discover leading paper clay artists, and explore the history of this innovative medium. Finally, this section supports you in sharing your own artworks and staying connected through ongoing news and updates.

Part I Getting Started

  • About the Course

  • About Graham Hay

  • Advantages of Paper Clay

  • Materials

  • Health & Safety

  • Resources

  • Suppliers List

  • Paper Clay Artists

  • History of Paper Clay

  • Sharing your artworks

  • News and Updates

In this section, you’ll discover the full potential of paper clay through both traditional and radical techniques. Learn how to make paper clay, then explore pinch pots, slabs, coils, moulds, and slip casting. You’ll also experiment with additives to expand creative possibilities and master drying methods that minimise cracks. Learn about radical joining techniques that allow wet-to-dry, dry-to-dry and fired to unfired connections, along with practical problem-solving tips for common challenges. You’ll gain insights into glazing, efficient kiln firing processes, and post-fire assembly.

Part II Innovative Paper Clay Techniques

  • Paper Clay Advantages

  • Making Paper Clay

  • Pinch Pot

  • Slab

  • Coil

  • Mould Making

  • Slip Casting

  • Additives to Paper clay

  • Drying Paper Clay

  • Radical Joining Techniques

  • Problem Solving

  • Glazing*

  • Paper Clay & Kiln Firing*

  • Post-Fire Assembly*

* COMING SOON *

Part III Artistic Identity and Practice

Through case studies of Graham’s major international projects, you’ll see how ideas are developed and translated into practice. You’ll reflect on authenticity and finding your unique voice, and learn tools for research, visual inquiry, documentation, and categorisation to strengthen your creative process. Essential practical considerations such as insurance, copyright, and shipping your artworks are covered, alongside financial aspects, and strategies for building community, collaborations, and audiences through exhibitions and networking. You’ll also gain insight into securing grants, residencies, and other opportunities,

  • Graham’s Projects

  • Find Your Unique Voice*

  • Research & Visual Inquiry*

  • Documentation*

  • Artistic Process*

  • Practical Considerations*

  • Collaborations*

  • Audience & Exhibitions*

  • Grants, Residencies*

  • Financial Aspects*

Part IV Summary and Next Steps

In the closing section of the masterclass, you’ll be encouraged to reflect on your progress, identify the next steps in your artistic journey, and explore ways to continue applying paper clay in innovative practice. Alongside this reflection, the course celebrates your creativity by providing opportunities to share and showcase your artworks in an online exhibition space. This final stage offers inspiration, helping you move forward with confidence while also connecting you to a growing community of paper clay artists where you can inspire and learn from one another, exchange ideas, and build lasting connections.

  • Reflect on Your Journey*

  • Define Your Next Steps*

  • Showcase Your Work*

  • Celebrate Creativity *

  • Be Inspired*

  • Stay Connected

  • Beyond the Masterclass*

  • Ongoing Discoveries

Part V Live and Recorded Q&A Sessions

As part of the masterclass, you’ll have the opportunity to attend live Q&A sessions with Graham Hay and also access the recorded sessions anytime. These interactive discussions give you direct insight into the questions, challenges, and ideas raised by fellow participants, while allowing you to receive advice and practical solutions from Graham himself. By joining live, you benefit from the energy of real-time exchange and the chance to connect directly with Graham and the community. By revisiting the recordings, you can learn at your own pace, return to key points, and explore topics from multiple perspectives.

EXCLUSIVE EARLY BIRD ACCESS

Unlock exclusive early bird access to Parts I and II of the Radical Paper Clay Masterclass and be the first to start your creative journey with Graham Hay. New content in Parts III and IV will be continuously added, supporting your ongoing artistic growth.

As an early bird participant, you’ll also gain priority access to live Q&A online sessions, held every two months starting November 2025, where you can connect directly with Graham, ask questions, and learn from the shared experiences of other participants.

Don’t miss this chance to secure your spot — join now and be part of the global paper clay community from the very beginning!

Meet Graham Hay

Graham Hay is internationally recognised for his pioneering innovations in both paper clay and compressed paper sculpture. With a career spanning decades, he has exhibited in 181 exhibitions across 16 countries, including appearances at seven international biennales in Australia, Holland, Argentina, Romania, and Venice, Italy. His work is represented in public collections in eight countries, and he has been the recipient of 23 grants and awards.

Hay is also a prolific writer and thinker in the field of contemporary ceramics. He has contributed articles to art publications in nine countries, features in 22 books, and has published over 40 articles exploring the intersections of paper clay, art, and technology.

A graduate of the Dunedin College of Education and the Western Australian, Edith Cowan, and Curtin Universities (with a focus on ceramics and sculpture), Graham was admitted to the International Academy of Ceramics in 2019. He is based at Farmer Street Studio in Perth, Western Australia.

As a pioneer of paper clay, Graham has led more than 300 workshops in 14 countries and has convened symposiums and conferences in Hungary, the US, and Norway. His artistic themes often reflect the complex relationship between the individual and the collective, exploring repetition, identity, ritual interactions, cultural systems, and technology. His sculptural motifs — from spirals and coils to koru, cornucopia, and circles — emerge through the shaping of thousands of multiples, deconstructing binary or polarised thinking within the sociology of art.

Begin your journey to master radical paper clay techniques and develop your art practice!