June 6 @ 9:30 am – June 7 @ 4:00 pm
Masterclass with Jun Matsumura
Saturday June 6 & Sunday June 7, 2026
9:30 am – 4:00 pm
For ages 18+
Join Japanese ceramic artist Jun Matsumura for an intensive two-day masterclass, exploring his distinctive approach to wheel throwing and carving. This workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from a visiting artist from Japan, including instruction in traditional Japanese wheel-throwing techniques and their contemporary reinterpretation. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, participants will develop forms on the wheel and transform them through carving, engaging with a process that pushes the boundaries of clay.
This workshop includes all tools, materials, and firing fees.
Required skill level: Suitable for those with prior wheel-throwing experience. Participants should be comfortable centering and opening approximately 1.5 lbs of clay. This course offers a unique opportunity to deepen technical skills while experiencing a highly refined and innovative approach to making.
About the Artist
Jun Matsumura
Jun Matsumura is a Japanese ceramic artist whose work brings a contemporary sensibility to traditional techniques of wheel-throwing and carving. Born in 1986 in Chiba, Japan, he trained at the Tajimi City Ceramics Design Institute and the Kanazawa Utatsuyama Kogei Kobo and now lives and works in Saitama. His work bridges Japanese ceramic heritage and experimental form, often using porcelain to explore the tension between delicacy and structure, resulting in pieces that move between functional objects and sculptural forms.
Matsumura has exhibited widely in Japan and internationally, including at major art fairs such as SOFA Chicago and TEFAF Maastricht, and in museum exhibitions across Japan. An experienced educator, he has taught globally, offering rare insight into both his technical process and the philosophies underpinning Japanese craft.
Important Information:
- Please ensure the course you choose works with your schedule. For any withdrawals, a non-refundable fee of $50 fee per course will be charged, regardless of the reason for withdrawal. No withdrawals will be accepted within 10 business days of the class start date, regardless of the reason for withdrawal.
- Using the pottery wheel may cause serious injury to a person who has a pacemaker. Consult a physician before use.
- By signing up for this class, participants are committing to abide by the Museum’s Code of Conduct, Ticketing Policy, and Studio Policy.
Gardiner Friends, please log in to access your discount and front-of-the-line access. Gardiner Friends may only purchase adult clay classes at the discounted rate for membership card holders.
