2026 NMPCA Workshop at Ghost Ranch
Building Courage in Content and Craft
Workshop Presenter:
Ralph Scala
August 21-23, 2026
Workshop Description:
Surrounding the core ideas of making art objects, this workshop investigates gathering local materials, handbuilding techniques that can be incorporated into larger works, while focusing on small/medium figurative and abstract sculptures, multiple firing and reglazing techniques and taking risk in your artistic practice.
The goal is to begin a new conversation within each participant’s practice, and to consider in conjunction the concepts of content, craft, and courage in their work.
A ∆ 2/3 cooling-reduction in a gas kiln will be fired with gathered local clays and processed materials.
Starting with high-vitrification point wares, the reglazing process at midrange to low-fire begins. In this reglazing process, participants experiment with custom glaze combinations and alter manufactured glazes to create their own palette.
Alongside object-making, participants will draw to scale and take photos of work being produced, printing them out on paper to encourage ideas for glaze/slip compositions.
Media & Techniques to be covered:
removable metal armatures, glazes, slips, terra sigillata, china paints, lusters, gas reduction firing, and water erosion
Processes to be explored:
Local clay processing (breadth of use in practice). Clay body inclusions and additives.
Multiple-firing techniques. Glaze inclusions. Drawing to scale alongside working on sculptures.
Washing away/eroding material surfaces. Electric and gas firing.
Students will bring work already fired to temp ∆6 or ∆10, bisque ware, and found materials to process. Workshop participants will make small sculptures, glaze on fired work, process clay, and experiment.
Schedule
Fri. 21
1:00 - 3:00 Arrival and Check-in
3:00 - Welcome, Introduction / 2-Hour Workshop
5:30 - Dinner
6:30 - Evening Workshop / Social Hour
Sat. 22
7:30 - Breakfast
8:30 - 3 1/2-Hour Workshop
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - 4 Hours Workshop
5:30 - Dinner
6:30 - Evening Workshop / Social Hour
Sun. 23
7:30 - Breakfast
8:30 - 3 1/2-Hour Workshop
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - 1 hour Workshop
2:00 - Wrap-up, Studio Clean-up
3:00 - Goodbyes
Registration Costs:
Workshop registration for NMPCA members: $250*
Workshop registration for Non-members: $325*
*Payment is through our secure online payment system. (Workshop registration does not include cost of accommodations and meals. Accommodation and meals are selected at additional cost at registration.)
Accommodations:
There are several choices for accommodations at the Ranch, which we recommend, as this gives you full immersion in the Ghost Ranch experience and maximizes time for workshops and socializing.
Below are the accommodation and meal choices, with related costs for the 2026 workshop. NMPCA collects all fees, then pays the fees for accommodations and meals to Ghost Ranch.
Room with Private Bath - one queen bed, single or double occupancy - $215/night x 2 nights = $430.
Suite: 2 Rooms with Shared Bath ** - one queen and 2 twin - both rooms together: $350/night x 2 nights = $700. ** Must be booked as a pair of rooms and could accommodate up to 4 individuals. (List adjoining room's guest(s) as roommate(s).
Room with Community Bath - 2 twin beds, single or double occupancy - $120/night x 2 nights = $240.
Tent Camping Site without Electrical - $35/night x 2 = $70
Tent Camping Site with Electrical - $40/night x 2 = $80
RV Site with Full Hookup - $45/night x 2 = $90
You can also choose to stay off-site at one of the many inns/ AirBNB choices in the area. If you stay off-site, please make your own accommodation arrangements.
Roommates:
Ghost Ranch charges for the room, regardless of how many occupants, so if you plan to share the accommodation costs with a roommate you must indicate this on the registration
Spouses/Guests:
Workshop participants are welcome to be accompanied by a spouse or guest. A spouse or guest not participating in the workshop will not pay the workshop fee. They will nevertheless need to be listed on the registration as a roommate and be provided with a meal plan via the registration if meals are desired.
Ghost Ranch Meals:
The Ghost Ranch Dining Hall serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner cafeteria style. The whole-workshop Meal Package = $91.50, and must be purchased at registration. Meal package includes Friday dinner, Saturday 3 meals and Sunday Breakfast and Lunch. If preferred, individual meals at $15.25/meal for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner should be purchased at registration as well. If you require specific food restrictions, please let us know at least 3 weeks prior to the workshop.
Ghost Ranch Info:
For additional information about Ghost Ranch accommodations and meal service, what to expect at the ranch, as well as information about alternatives to staying on the Ranch, please visit our Ghost Ranch information page.
At the time of open registration, there are no current travel restrictions in NM. Read current NM health alerts here.
Additional Workshop Info:
Workshop registration deadline is: July 10, 2026. Registration is on a first come first serve basis. Once the workshop is full, a waitlist will be developed and that also will be on a first come first serve basis as spots open up.
Check-in period is 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The workshop starts at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23. Please plan to arrive at Ghost Ranch by 3:00pm Friday to allow time to check in at Welcome Center, find your room, and gather at Pot Hollow Studio.
If your plans change and force you to withdraw from the workshop, let us know as soon as possible.
Click here to see our refund policy: Refund Policy