News Summary The Hive Community Clay in St. Petersburg will launch a four-week workshop on whimsical funerary arts starting September 22. Led by artist Calan Ree, the class invites individuals of all skill levels to create personal grave markers and engage in discussions about death and memorialization. Participants will explore creativity while reflecting on life’s legacy through unique ceramic pieces that promote healthy conversations about mortality. St. Petersburg, FL – The Hive Community Clay will host a four-week ceramics class beginning September 22, focused on creating personal grave goods and markers. The workshop, titled “whimsical funerary arts,” will be led by artist Calan Ree and is designed to be accessible to individuals of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned ceramics artists. Calan Ree conceived the course while foraging for clay and attending a pottery workshop in Minnesota over the summer. The idea emerged when Ree noticed the absence of personal grave markers created by individuals. This led to a positive response from others who also felt it was a worthwhile and meaningful endeavor. The class aims to encourage healthy conversations about death and memorialization, allowing participants to engage in thought-provoking discussions around these often-taboo subjects. Participants are motivated to create pieces that are not only reflective but also personal, extending beyond traditional memorials of lost loved ones. Throughout the class, participants will explore various methods to create grave markers or artifacts intended to be buried with them, as well as engage in personal reflections about mortality. The focus will remain on individual creativity and expression, allowing participants the freedom to explore what they want their legacy to represent. Ree describes the class atmosphere as thoughtful, humorous, and community-oriented, fostering connections through the act of creation. This engaging approach is inspired by the positive death movement, which encourages openness in discussing death and dying. Ree hopes to offer this workshop multiple times a year, reflecting an ongoing commitment to this important topic. It is important to note that the class does not aim to evoke fear or a sense of spookiness, but rather to invite participants to consider their lives and legacies. Creative ideas for projects may include grave markers decorated with symbols representing personal experiences or cherished items. For example, one of Ree’s personal creations features a hand with mushrooms and a cheeky inscription of “walk on by,” encouraging a message of living life fully and not dwelling on the past. The Hive Community Clay’s unique approach to ceramics and its exploration of deeper, often overlooked themes surrounding death and memorialization promise a distinctive experience for participants. By combining art with introspection, the class not only offers a creative outlet but also serves as a platform for dialogue about life, death, and how individuals wish to be remembered. Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic HERE Resources St. Petersburg Celebrates Trans and Gender Nonconforming Artists Additional Resources Patch: Create Your Own Grave Marker Class Watermark: Morean Center for Clay Exhibit I Love The Burg: Craft Pottery at Atelier St. Pete Patch: Clay Works Exhibition St. Pete Catalyst: Master Potter Charlie Parker Stepping Aside Wikipedia: Ceramics Google Search: Ceramics Workshops Google Scholar: Ceramic Art Encyclopedia Britannica: Ceramic Google News: Ceramics
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