Looking for a fun Portland ceramics workshop that goes beyond the basics?
On November 1st, Radius Art Studio is hosting a special one-day botanical clay carving class with guest artist and internet-favorite ceramic educator Benjamin Cahoon. Whether you’re brand-new to clay or already have a solid practice and are craving new techniques to deepen your work, this workshop is a chance to learn surface carving in a playful, supportive, and creatively charged environment. If you’ve been searching for Portland pottery classes that are both high quality and ridiculously fun– this is the one!
The aritst bond begins at NCECA
I first got to know Benjamin at the 2025 NCECA conference. He was warm, wildly curious, and fully himself- bouncing between jokes, conversations about creative courage, and excitement about how ceramics can bring people together. We ended up unofficially leading the Portland pottery crew from one gallery pop-up to the next, gathering friends as we went. Between lectures, we were either taste-testing Dirty Sodas in the spirit of “cultural immersion,” gossiping about clay and art education, or diving into bigger conversations about queerness, belonging, and what it means to build community spaces where everyone can experiment and be seen. Oh, or geeking out about dinosaur bones at the Natural History Museum!
Benjamin had shown work in the Radius Gallery before, and I’d been following his online tutorials (and antics) for a while. I love artists who don’t gatekeep their knowledge and who make ceramics feel accessible without watering down the importance of craft. Benjamin is precisely that kind of educator. He has the technical skills and the heart.
By day, we were sitting through lectures on glaze chemistry and the future of craft. By night we were tearing up the dance floor. By the end of the trip, we were scheming ways to bring him into Radius to share some of his joy and knowledge- and now its happening!
What to expect from this clay carving workshop?
This is not just a technical class about carving. It is an invitation to slow down, tune into your creative instincts, and explore botanicals and symbols through texture and form. Benjamin will guide students through creating their own carved wall tile from start to finish with demonstrations, surface technique tips, and time to experiment.
There’s something for everyone here, from beginners to more advanced ceramicists. If you are brand new to clay, you will be in good hands. If you already have a solid foundation, you will leave with new techniques to integrate into your own work. This workshop is also an opportunity for everyone to connect with other makers and be part of the Radius community for a day.
“Students can expect the most immaculate vibes of community making, direction and expectations set at the beginning, then a good amount of work time to push those boundaries and ask questions. Plus, I’ll be making fun stuff with you too. I’m most excited to hang out with new students to me, I really like new friends and encouraging people doing the courageous work of making in this moment we are surviving.” -Benjamin Cahoon, on what to expect
Why are Benjamin and Radius the perfect match?
Benjamin is widely loved online for his approachable style, educational videos, and general clay goofiness, but what really stands out when you meet him in person is the sincerity behind it all. He believes in creative courage. He believes in community care. He believes in showing up to the studio with curiosity rather than perfectionism.
That sentiment is also the heart of Radius. We are a place where people learn reall ceramic skills from working artists, but we also laugh, take creative risks, try weird ideas, and occasionally hide tiny clay treasures on each other’s shelf spaces! If you have been looking for a ceramics studio that offers high quality education and is welcoming to all identities and levels of experience, Radius is for you- and this workshop is a perfect entry point.
Benjamin’s Studio Rituals and Inspirations
Favorite way to reset in the studio: deep breath, jazz music, and a gratitude moment before making a list
Best time of day to create: before or at sunrise
Favorite tools: Kemper large trimming tool and DiamondCore carving tools
Current listening rotation: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, plus Laufey and Doja Cat
One tiny chaos that brings him joy: Miss Piggy throwing shade at Martha Stewart on live television in the 90s
