This workshop invites participants to discover (or deepen their understanding of) the colombin technique, a free and intuitive approach to creating organic forms.

They are guided in developing their own signature style: playing with textures, patterns, and the addition of materials—all elements that lend character to their pieces. Particular attention is paid to the balance and harmony of forms.

Throughout the workshop, they create a personal piece while also participating in a group project, allowing them to experience the richness of teamwork.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Create a piece using the coil-building technique
• Design a sculpture or vase with organic, fluid forms
• Develop a visual signature through the addition of textures, patterns, and material elements
• Seek balance and harmony in forms
• Learn to assess the degree of clay drying at each stage of production
• Participate in the creation of a collaborative piece as part of a team

The columbin technique is a traditional method of shaping clay that involves constructing a piece by layering coiled strips of clay. Once assembled and smoothed, these strips give rise to free-form, dynamic shapes.

Accessible and intuitive, this technique offers great creative freedom. It allows for the creation of organic, fluid, and asymmetrical forms—shapes that are often impossible to achieve on the wheel.

Requiring no complex tools, it invites you to take your time, develop your technique, and engage directly with the material.

Beyond individual creations, participants will be invited to take part in a large-scale collective work. Built using the coil method, it will evolve through everyone’s contributions, blending personal forms and individual expression to create a shared piece that is rich and harmonious.
Please note: pieces created during the workshop cannot be fired on-site.

Schedule

Day 1

Morning

• Welcome and introductions
• Presentation of the instructor’s work (visual aids)
• Initial personal research in the form of sketches: shapes and decorative elements

Afternoon

• Continuation of research
• Initial clay experiments (2 to 3 different forms)
• Start of the creation of the individual piece (basic form)

Day 2

Morning

• Work on the individual piece

Afternoon

• Beginning of the discussion about the group piece
• Continuation of work on the individual piece

Day 3

Morning

• Progress on the individual piece
• Start of creation of decorative elements

Afternoon

• Alternating work on individual and group pieces

Day 4

Morning

• Continuation of individual pieces and addition of decorative elements

Afternoon

• Alternating between individual and group projects
• Finalizing the projects

Day 5

Morning

• Final touches on individual pieces and the group project
• Presentation of the pieces and discussion
• Packing of pieces for participants wishing to take their creations home (unfired)
• Review of the workshop
• Tidying up the workshop

Julie Bergeron

Originally from Quebec, Julie Bergeron has lived and worked in France since 2002, in Pantin, in the Paris region.
Initially trained in graphic design, she quickly felt the need to explore three-dimensional forms. She discovered ceramics at Danielle Lescot’s studio, where she trained between 2008 and 2012. Under the ceramist’s watchful eye, she developed her practice largely through self-study, gradually refining her technique.

Very quickly, working with clay became a natural choice, fully engaging her time and creativity. Since 2021, she has set up her studio in Pantin, on the banks of the Ourcq Canal.
There, she now creates unique pieces that blend formal experimentation with a sensitive exploration of the material. Her approach emphasizes gesture and experimentation, in a direct relationship with clay, which she views as a space for continuous invention rather than merely a medium for form.

www.juliebergeron.fr

• Classroom, multipurpose room, workshops with professional equipment
• Supply of materials
• Individual and collaborative work
• Workshop-based learning
• Active participation and hands-on experimentation by participants are encouraged

• Group and personalized progress tracking, regular updates
• Self-assessment of technical skills
• Group presentation
• Attendance sheet by half-day
• Certificate of completion issued by Campus MaNa