JOHN DIX
GESTURING WITH EARTH: Painting with Fire
February 1-15, 2026
John Dix has spent the last 35 of his 45 years working with clay primarily in Japan. This has led to works that show a strong Japanese influence but still retain elements of his early training in the US. John has a starting point without a clear destination, a familiar path (constructing a teapot, a sake bottle, etc) from which he always gives himself permission to diverge. This freedom brings freshness to the work and has sustained his passion for clay over the years.
In this workshop John will introduce techniques to help the students loosen up and make more free flowing forms. Working both on the wheel and hand-building, often combining the two, John will demo many varied ways to take the participant’s work in a whole new direction. Beginning the workshop with a simple Japanese technique called kurinuki, forming and hollowing out a solid chunk of clay, John will then lead the students through making larger sculptural vases by combining thrown and slab elements. Free-formed asymmetrical cups and bowls on the wheel will also be demo-ed, as will larger serving platters.
In the firing portion of the workshop, we will be loading and firing the Gayagama wood kiln. It will be a very hands on experience with discussions about loading for optimum effect in a wood kiln; a Paint-with-Fire approach. Students will get the chance to load their work in all the various zones of the kiln with thoughts of maximizing flame and ash effects. All students will take part in 6-hour shifts of firing the kiln for around a 50+hour firing. Critiques will be held after unloading the kiln.
TUITION: USD $2500 inclusive of all studio materials, glazes and firings, catered lunches, welcome dinner, and excursions around the island. We will assist in making recommendations for bookings for nearby hotels, bungalows or home-stays in convenient proximity to Gaya studio (accommodation is not included in tuition).
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE - JOHN DIX
• Sunday, February 1:
Welcome Dinner – MOKSA
A relaxed evening introduction: to Balinese cuisine, to the stunning backdrop of the island topography, to one another and to the program ahead.
Dessert will be served with a slideshow given by John of his journey of 40+ years making pots in the US, Japan and around the world.
• Monday, February 2:
GCAC
A morning of introduction: to the studio in general and to the Gaya anagama specifically. We will look at pots fired in the Gaya anagama, and talk about surface, kiln placement, clays and glazes, giving direction for the students to focus on how to bring these variables into their own work.
Clay demos: Kurinuki tea bowls and larger vases. Also stretched platters thrown on the wheel and manipulated off the wheel.
12:30 Lunch – family style.
Hands in Clay: individual work time begins!
• Tuesday, February 3:
GCAC
Clay demo: Combining thrown rings with slabs to make abstracted flask forms. Thinking about work for the firebox and side stoke trough.
12:30 Lunch – family style.
Individual making continues.
• Wednesday, February 4:
GCAC
Throwing Demos: Loosen up on the wheel, Techniques for making more expressive forms. Triangle plates for stacking.
12:30 Lunch – family style.
Individual working time continues.
• Thursday, February 5:
GCAC
Clay demos: Trimming work by hand on a banding wheel– how to make a more expressive foot. Handles and spouts for mugs, and pouring vessels.
12:30 Lunch – family style.
Making continues.
• Friday, February 6:
GCAC
Slipping and glazing for the firing. Finishing all work and prepping for the loading the following day. Getting all work kiln side to hit the ground running on Saturday.
12:30 Lunch – family style.
All pieces should be finished for firing!
• Saturday, February 7:
Initiating the Stack – GCAC
Morning: Working in shifts, we begin the slow and particular process of loading the Gayagama. Everyone will have an opportunity to assist in preparing various types of wadding, and everyone will have their chance to load pots into the kiln. John will continually discuss the loading process including strategies for surface development in various zones of the kiln. Working in shifts, John will lead the loading process and continue discussion around decision-making that accentuates form and flame interaction.
12:30 Lunch – family style.
Continue loading the Gayagama.
Saturday evening: FIRE Ceremony and wood-fired pizzas – Hillary’s House
Enjoy a stimulating, cleansing “Puja” (Hindu fire-ceremony) at the home of Hillary Kane. Followed by a fitting evening of stoking the wood-fired pizza oven. Pizza-making participation required!
• Sunday, February 8:
Loading the Dragon – GCAC
Full day of measured loading. Participants will be assigned shifts so as to be kept engaged. Everyone will have a chance to place works, make wadding, and participate in specific decisions about the loading of their own wares.
12:30 Lunch – family style.
Loading continues.
• Monday, February 9:
Conclude Loading – GCAC
Loading continues until mid-afternoon, concluding in the fire box stack. Door bricking, sealing and preparation for the external candle fire.
Tours of Gaya Ceramic & Design production studio will be concurrently scheduled in 2 groups.
Sunday evening (5pm): Lighting Ceremony with Blessings. Candling begins, along with first all-night firing shift.
• Tuesday, February 10:
FIRING – GCAC
Low-mid range temperatures.
Participants rotate on 6-hr. shifts through day and night.
Transport and meals will be organized accordingly.
• Wednesday, February 11:
FIRING – GCAC
Firing continues at high temperatures. Sustaining heat, working back side stoke ports to reach peak temperatures.
12:30 Lunch – family style.
Discussion and decisions made around cooling techniques and strategies.
• Thursday, February 12:
R&R DAY - FREE! Anywhere Bali…
• Friday, February 13:
Excursion Day – Kayona & Bambu Indah
Kayona: A visit to a local sculptor’s extraordinary interpretation of wood carving.
BAMBU INDAH: Lunch and a relaxing afternoon: an unparalleled experience of Bali’s most exquisite spring-fed terraced bathing pools on the banks of the Ayung River.
Bathing costume and change of clothing necessary.
• Saturday, February 14:
Unloading and Post-firing Finish – GCAC
A slow and considered unload (this is when we have everything to learn!) Afternoon spent discussing and implementing a variety of post-firing clean up and finishing techniques.
12:30 Lunch – family style.
• Sunday, February 15:
Concluding Discussion – GCAC
Workshop debrief and discussion of the experience. John will be available for friendly critiques for those interested.
Final clean up, photographing of work and packing (packing materials provided).
12:30 Lunch – family style.
Departure by 2pm