Spend a week immersed in a wild clay pottery intensive that traces the full journey of clay from landscape to finished vessel. Working together as a group, participants will learn how to process clay, blend wild clays, and locate and test clay in the field. The hands-on experience also includes a range of hand-building methods such as pinch pots, slab work, coil and scrape, corrugation, and more.
In addition to forming pots, we will explore the landscape for minerals, refine natural paints, and make yucca brushes to decorate each piece with personal artistic expression. The week concludes with preparing a kiln and reviewing several different ways to fire earthenware pottery. Along the way, there will be daily conversations about the metaphysical nature of pottery, the work of shaping clay, and the balance of the elements.
As the pace slows, space opens for reflection on what the materials reveal to us, both individually and collectively. The process offers an opportunity for personal growth and team building through creative collaboration. Seated on the grounds of Esalen, we will also draw inspiration from the surrounding landscape and from the ancient ones who came before us, imagining how they may have formed pots for both function and beauty using the same earth long ago.
Workshop Schedule
Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend opens and closes with a circle and includes festive, nostalgic activities that evoke days gone by.
Additional activities are available through the open class schedule.
Accommodations & Tuition
Click Register Now to check accommodation availability and view all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Not all accommodation levels are offered for every workshop, and additional faculty fees may apply.
Scholarship funds are available for those with financial need.
For this workshop, registration and payment for accommodations and tuition are completed in two separate steps.
First, sign up and pay tuition directly to [Esalen].
Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.
Accommodation pricing includes lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities.
COVID Update
As of June 30, 2023, a negative COVID test is no longer required at check-in. Please review the current COVID safety guidelines for full details before booking your stay.
All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at check-in. Please review the current COVID safety guidelines for full details before booking your stay.
In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at check-in. Please review the current COVID safety guidelines for full details before booking your stay.
Effective January 7, 2022, in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours, and results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider. Please review the updated COVID safety guidelines before booking your stay.
Effective December 15, in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, regardless of vaccine status, for four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please review the updated COVID safety guidelines before booking your stay.
Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, masks are no longer required indoors on campus. Please review the updated COVID safety guidelines before booking your stay.
Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors went into effect. Please review the COVID safety guidelines before booking your stay.
All guests are required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please review the COVID safety guidelines before booking your stay.
Masks are no longer required indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please review the COVID safety guidelines before booking your stay.
Designed for shared stays, this room type accommodates four to six guests in a welcoming, gender-inclusive setting, with a maximum stay of seven consecutive days. It’s a practical choice for retreat participants who value comfort, simplicity, and a sense of community during their time away.
Each bunk room includes twin-size bunk beds and a private bathroom with a shower, offering the privacy and convenience guests need throughout their stay. Fresh towels, bath soap, and bed linens are provided, so you can settle in with ease and focus on your experience rather than the details.
With its straightforward layout and thoughtfully provided essentials, this accommodation supports a restful and uncomplicated stay, making it well suited for those looking to share space while still enjoying comfort and functionality.
Ideal for guests who want a more social stay without the atmosphere of a dorm, this cozy shared room offers a comfortable and practical setup for up to three people of the same gender. The space is arranged with three beds: two on the main floor and one tucked into a sleeping loft, creating a simple, welcoming environment that still feels private and restful.
Each room includes an in-room bathroom with a shower, making daily routines easy and convenient. To help you settle in with ease, towels, bath soap, and bed linens are all provided. Whether you are traveling for a retreat, a wellness stay, or a peaceful getaway with others, this room offers a warm balance of connection, comfort, and simplicity.
Designed for guests seeking a little extra privacy, this inviting room offers a peaceful place to unwind within the charming, Big Sur-inspired motel atmosphere of the property. Thoughtfully located for convenience, it overlooks the main campus and garden, giving you a calming view to return to throughout your stay.
Inside, you’ll find a private bathroom and a comfortable setting that supports rest, simplicity, and easy access to the wider retreat experience. It’s an ideal choice for solo travelers or couples looking for a quiet, well-situated space to recharge between wellness activities, meals, and moments of relaxation.
If you’d like to share the room, one additional guest may join for an extra $250 per night.
Settle into a relaxed stay surrounded by the charming motel-inspired atmosphere of Big Sur. This Standard Two Double Beds room offers a comfortable, unfussy space designed for easy rest and shared travel. With two double beds and a private bathroom, it is a practical choice for friends, couples, or family members looking to enjoy time together while still having room to unwind.
The room’s simple, welcoming feel makes it easy to slow down after a day of exploring, reconnecting, or simply enjoying a peaceful break. Whether you are traveling for a quiet getaway or a shared adventure, this space provides the comfort and privacy you need for a restful stay.
Designed for a serene Central Coast escape, this room invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and settle into a truly restful stay. A luxurious queen bed creates a comforting place to unwind after a day of exploring, offering the kind of refuge that feels both elevated and easy. The atmosphere is warm and relaxing, with thoughtful details that help guests feel instantly at ease.
Depending on the room, you may enjoy one or more of the following features:
Whether you are here for a peaceful getaway or simply looking for a more refined place to rest, this room offers a welcoming balance of comfort, charm, and natural beauty.
Settle into a Premium Plus King room and take in the breathtaking beauty of Big Sur from a space designed for rest and renewal. After a day of exploring the coastline, unwind on a private deck in an upstairs unit or a patio on the ground level, both offering a front-row seat to the ocean views. Inside, picture windows welcome in natural light and create a calm, airy atmosphere from morning to evening.
These accommodations are ideal for guests seeking the comfort of a king-size bed along with thoughtful upgrades throughout. Expect elevated bathrooms and decor, plus premium in-room WiFi for added convenience during your stay. With its blend of comfort, style, and unforgettable scenery, this room offers a serene retreat for travelers looking to experience Big Sur at its most inspiring.
With 15 years of experience in both practice and teaching, Kelly “Kayenta” Magleby brings a deeply rooted approach to earth-based pottery. Her work reflects the belief that pottery made in the traditional way carries meaningful lessons—about patience, presence, and our connection to the natural world. In her sessions, participants can expect a grounded, hands-on experience that honors process as much as...
Read more"Kayenta" Kelly Magleby
Mon, Jul 20 – Fri, Jul 24