Sensing Form: A World Beyond Sight

A Hands On Pottery Workshop in Riverside, California.

On October 18, 2026, I led a pottery workshop at the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, bringing together young Scouts, their families and other participants  for an afternoon of creativity, clay, and a different way of experiencing art.

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We began by exploring some of my ceramic work through touch, including roses, a butterfly, Braille soap dish, and Blishware. I then demonstrated the three basic hand-building techniques: pinch, coil, and slab construction, before everyone got their hands into some clay.

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I was pleasantly surprised that so many participants even tried working with blindfolds! It was wonderful hearing everyone experimenting and having fun.

A few moments especially stayed with me. A young Scout asked if he could keep the ceramic rose I demonstrated making. How could I say no? And a shy little girl came over to show me her flower, apparently no bigger than a gumball! I also met a family whose 11-year-old had recently learned about Helen Keller and wanted to attend.

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My hope is that the next time these children encounter a blind person, they'll remember not what we can't do, but what we can. We create, teach, laugh, and sometimes make pretty remarkable things out of clay!

A special thank you to the Civil Rights Institute, the Scouts and their families.

After all, art doesn't have to be seen to be experienced.

Cheers,

DK