What happens when you work with clay on the turning wheel? It’s not only about the clay, but also about taking control of the speed of the wheel, the way the clay wants to wiggle, to move and shift. It’s up to you to control or accept this process…

In this workshop, you will learn the basics of working with clay. Not only using the turning wheel, but also through experimental forms that reference the work of conceptual artist Bas Jan Ader. It won’t be shop-bought perfect, but it will be unique: made by your hands and shaped by what happened when you dared to let go of control on the wheel.

Inspired by Ader’s search for fragility and surrender, we will also explore the concept of 'melting boats', unfired clay vessels that, once launched on water, dissolve and return to the earth. These ephemeral objects symbolize Ader’s final journey across the Atlantic, and may be filmed as part of a small video experiment.

This workshop is for everybody who has never ever worked with clay before, for the absolute beginner. But for those of you who do like to explore… to learn new skills, and step into the unknown…

Bas Jan Ader

It is fifty years ago in 2025 that conceptual artist Bas Jan Ader departed from Cape Cod in the US with a tiny sailboat to the Netherlands. He was supposed to have a solo exhibition in the Groninger Museum, but never arrived.

As a tribute to Bas Jan Ader there are shows, lectures and workshops in several places. VRIJDAG takes part in this manifestatation with a day full of workshops inspired by the work of Bas Jan Ader.

Workshops at VRIJDAG

Would you like to explore a specific technique but don't have time for a full course? Or do you just want to spend a day being creative? Then our one-day workshops are perfect for you. The offerings are for everyone, both beginners and advanced. Join us and discover how much fun it is!