Princessehof - Tegelveld Oranjeappels en goudsbloemen

Michele Ahin (flickr)

From Porcelain to Portugal: The Art & History of Tile (Ella Baker)

Discover how a single square of clay tells stories that span continents and centuries. In this hands-on class, we’ll begin with the influence of Chinese porcelain and trace the evolution of tile design through Moorish geometry, Dutch Delftware, and end in contemporary Portugal. As we explore the cultural connections behind these beautiful traditions, you’ll design your own pattern and paint a ceramic tile with underglaze to bring history to life in your own hands.

Bri Smejkal

Kitchen Ceramics Instructor

Bri Smejkal is an artist who has worked in a variety of mediums: ceramics, painting, drawing, digital illustration, photography, woodworking, metalworking, printmaking, fiber arts, and beyond. Her educational background includes a BFA in Sculpture from Minneapolis College of Art and Design, as well as a Software Engineering Certificate from Hackbright Academy. By day she is a Software Engineer specializing in creative and 3D technology. Her core traits include curiosity, innovation, finding common ground, community, and encouraging wellbeing in others.

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