Artisan Clay Masterclass
Aruni
Verified hostAruni grew up in a household where the wheel turned every morning before tea. She now works alongside her aunts in Molagoda, keeping a 200-year-old craft alive through small, intimate workshops.
The experience
What you'll do
Tucked into a green valley outside Kandy, Molagoda has been a village of potters for as long as anyone remembers. Aruni will welcome you into her family's open-air workshop, where the clay is dug from a riverbank just down the road and the wheels still spin by foot.
You'll learn to centre the clay, pull a simple form, and hand-finish a piece you'll take home (or have shipped after firing). Between rounds at the wheel there's strong tea, conversation, and a quiet pride in a craft that almost disappeared a generation ago.
Your journey
How the day unfolds
Welcome and tea
Meet Aruni and her aunts, see the workshop, and learn how the clay is sourced.
First throws
Centre the clay, find your rhythm, and shape your first small bowl.
Hand-finishing
Trim, decorate, and sign your piece using traditional tools.
Tea and takeaway
A final round of tea in handmade cups while your piece is set aside to dry.
What's included
- All materials and tools
- Tuition with Aruni and family
- Tea and light snacks
- Your finished piece (firing + shipping optional)
What to bring
- Clothes you don't mind getting muddy
- An apron if you have a favourite
- Tied-back hair if it's long
- Curiosity and patience