On November 8 & 9, 2025, Baltimore Clayworks had the pleasure of welcoming Aisha Harrison for a deeply engaging two-day visiting artist workshop, The Human Bust. The studio was filled with curiosity, focus, and laughter as Aisha generously shared stories from her artistic journey and offered invaluable insight into the figurative techniques that define her work.
Over the course of the weekend, participants learned to model a ½-scale wall-hanging human bust, beginning with the foundational form of the head and shoulders. Aisha guided everyone through the anatomy of the face, demonstrating how to build expressive mouths, noses, eyes, and ears both on and off the form. As students refined their individual busts, Aisha encouraged them to explore unique face shapes, consider gesture and emotion, and think critically about how subtle shifts can bring a sculpture to life. She closed the sculpting process with a thoughtful approach to hair and clothing elements, inspiring participants to infuse personality into each detail.
Working solid before hollowing proved to be a meditative and rewarding challenge. While most students began the hollowing process before the workshop ended, Aisha provided clear direction for completing the work at home and offered suggestions for surface treatments to consider during the greenware stage or after firing. Participants arrived with reference photos in hand, and the studio quickly became a collaborative space filled with sharing, experimentation, and newfound confidence.
Both days included a relaxed lunch break, giving participants time to connect, explore local restaurants, and reflect on the morning’s progress. Throughout the weekend, Aisha’s warmth, clarity, and humor made even the most complex sculpting moments feel approachable.
For those who wanted a deeper look into her practice, Aisha also offered a Virtual Artist Talk earlier in the season, where she discussed her background, influences, and passion for storytelling through clay. Her presence at Baltimore Clayworks was a reminder of the power of figurative sculpture to spark conversation, emotion, and community.
The workshop left students inspired, challenged, and eager to keep building. We are grateful to Aisha Harrison for sharing her expertise and to all who joined us for this memorable hands-on experience.
