Arcosanti Hands-on Workshops
LEARN BY DOING AT ARCOSANTI
The principle of learning by doing has guided Arcosanti since the beginning in 1970. Come learn in an immersive environment unlike anywhere else. You’ll connect to the inspiring High Sonoran Desert and the unique architecture, all while learning new skills and helping us create our community.
Arcosanti is an urban experiment that practices sustainable living through arcology, architecture+ecology, which seeks to example how humane cities can exist with respect toward the surrounding natural landscape.
We are offering three workshops this fall focusing on construction, archives, and land stewardship/sustainable technology. Read more about each workshop below.
Fall 2024 Dates
- September 9 – October 4, 2024
- October 14 – November 8, 2024
- November 18 – December 13, 2024
Our Current Workshops
If you have any question or to request more information please email workshop@arcosanti.org
Our Experience Programs
In these single day or weekend programs, participants learn a variety practices and crafts through hands-on experience.
Tile-Making Experience
Cosanti, Paradise Valley
In this hands-on class, you will learn the exceptional tile making and design process developed by The Cosanti Foundation and used every day by the artisans of Cosanti Originals to make our popular ceramic tiles. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to mold and imprint your own one-of-a-kind ceramic tile. This process involves using clay and water to create your tile, so come prepared to get your hands dirty.
Fall 2024 Dates
Saturday, September 28th
Saturday, October 19th
Saturday, November 16th
Saturday, December 14th
If a class lists “out of stock” when trying to purchase, then the class is full. Please check back regularly for openings from cancellations and new dates.
Please note that this class is only available at our Phoenix-area location, Cosanti in Paradise Valley, not at Arcosanti in Mayer.
Clay Pit-Firing Weekend
Arcosanti, Mayer
Learn and participate in an ancient form of firing pottery that uses natural materials and requires no gas or electricity during this two-day program.
You choose a small pre-made (bisque) clay vessel to decorate with different colorants, as well as learn the process of burnishing surfaces on some leather hard clay. After filling the earth pit with various natural combustibles and the pots, we begin the firing process. Typically this lasts a few hours, then the pit is covered and left overnight. In the evening, all participants share a group dinner followed by a short presentation on the history of pit firing, particularly its significance in indigenous communities of the Southwest.
You may camp or book a guest room to stay overnight, with a nature hike and then brunch in our café the next morning. During the hike you can collect a burnishing stone to take with you for future work. By afternoon, the pit should be cool enough to unload and we can talk about ways to finish the pieces with waxing or just leave them as-is.
Take Home
You’ll be able to take home your decorated, burnished, and fired vessel with you.
Dates
Saturday & Sunday, November 9th – 10th
Saturday & Sunday, December 7th – 8th
Bell-Making Experience
Arcosanti, Mayer
In this hands-on experience, you will learn the unique silt-cast bell-making process developed by The Cosanti Foundation and used every day by the artisans of Cosanti Originals to make our world-famous ceramic windbells. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to cast and carve your own one-of-a-kind ceramic bell. This process involves using clay and dirt to create your bell, so come prepared to get your hands dirty.
Fall 2024 Dates
Saturday, October 19th
Saturday, October 26th
Saturday, November 23rd
Saturday, November 30th
If a class lists “out of stock” when trying to purchase, then the class is full. Please check back regularly for openings from cancellations and new dates.
Event and Program Refund Policy
Workshops and Educational Programs: In the event that a participant must cancel registration, the program fee will be refunded IN FULL up until 2 weeks before the first date of scheduled program date(s). Refunds requested less than 2 weeks before the first date of the scheduled program will be refunded at 50% or, applied IN FULL to a future program held during the same calendar year. Refunds requested on or after the first date of the scheduled program are not eligible for a refund.
Public Programs and Performances: Ticket-holders may request a refund up until 1 week before the scheduled performance or program date; EventBrite, our ticketing platform, reserves the right to charge a nominal fee for issuing a refund. Refunds requested less than one week of the scheduled performance or after a performance or program has taken place are not eligible for a refund.
Special Circumstance Cancellations: For single-day programs and public programs that The Cosanti Foundation is forced to cancel due to low enrollment or ticket sales, extraordinary or unforeseen circumstances, or acts of god, registrants and ticket-holders will be notified via email and receive a refund IN FULL.
Private Events: Refunds for the cancellation of private events are subject to the terms and conditions stated in the individual contractual agreements between the event organizer and The Cosanti Foundation.
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