Animal Sculpture Workshop

Take your animal sculptures to the next level in this full-day workshop focused on sculpting solid and then hollowing for success. We’ll begin the morning by building solid clay animal forms, using reference photos from multiple angles to capture the essence and gesture of your chosen subject. This solid-building approach helps you block in proportions and details more confidently—perfect for anyone who finds sculpting animals intimidating. After a lunch break, we’ll move into the critical next phase: cutting the sculpture apart, hollowing out each section, and then reassembling it. You’ll learn how to maintain structural integrity and preserve detail throughout the process. Students should bring several printed or digital reference photos of their chosen animal from different viewpoints. Cellphones are welcome and likely to be used for additional visual reference during sculpting. This workshop is great for intermediate students and up—some basic clay experience recommended. Come ready to sculpt, explore, and gain a new technique that will expand your creative confidence!

Anna Ellis was raised in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she developed a deep connection to the
local art scene through her family’s frame shop. Immersed in the beauty of regional art and
surrounded by local artists, she cultivated her passion for creativity at an early age.
She discovered her love for ceramics at CVCC (Central Virginia Community College), later
finding a true artistic home at the Academy Center of the Arts. Over the past 15 years, she has
honed her skills in clay, developing a distinctive style that blends her passion for nature with
her admiration for animals.
Through her ceramics, she strives to blur the line between stillness and motion, encouraging a
deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Sponsored by:

with Education Access Program Discounts Underwritten by