Botanical Marks

Service Description

Botanical Marks: A Sgraffito Masterclass with Cathy Franzi Date: Saturday 9th May 2026 All day - 6 hours Cost: $195 All materials supplied Mud Ceramics is absolutely thrilled to welcome the wonderfully talented Dr Cathy Franzi to our studio for a special sgraffito workshop.
Cathy’s botanical detail, precision, and quiet magic with clay are truly next-level — a rare blend of artistry, science, and deep connection to Australian flora. In this workshop you’ll learn to ‘draw’ on clay using a rich range of textural imagery techniques — carving, sgraffito, incising, impressing, slip and ink inlay, stencils, sponge stamping, and slip trailing. You’ll practice each technique on slab tiles while exploring mark-making and composition from multiple angles, building confidence and curiosity as you go. Perfect for beginners drawn to the materiality of clay, and equally valuable for experienced makers wanting to broaden and refine their surface-decoration skills. A beautifully hands-on, creative deep dive into the endless possibilities of clay. We can’t wait for you to learn from one of the very best. Spots will go fast, so book soon and get ready to carve, reveal, draw, and create something beautifully your own. Dr Cathy Franzi is an acclaimed ceramic artist whose work explores the connection between Australian flora, environmental knowledge, and clay. An experienced tutor, Cathy teaches at the ANU and delivers community arts programs and workshops across the country. Having completed her PhD at the ANU School of Art & Design in 2015, her interdisciplinary approach has since led to numerous collaborations across science and art. Her work is held in major public collections both nationally and internationally, and in 2025 she was awarded the Lanyon Art Prize. A remarkable artist, a generous teacher, and an inspiring guide for this workshop. @cathy_franzi