Shape Your Feelings with Clay
Through the tactile exploration of clay, participants unlock their creativity and let chance play a role in the creative process. With eyes closed, the only stimuli they have are the textures and forms that the hands recognize, and the final creation is shaped by the memories, feelings or experiences of each participant. Observation is done at the end as a way to reflect on the spontaneous process. This activity reinforces creativity, abstract thinking and sensory exploration.
THEME
Emotional literacy, self-awareness, and non-verbal expression
COMPLEXITY
Beginner
GROUP SIZE
5-15
participants
AGE
13+
TIME
60 to 120
minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Introduction (10 min)
- The facilitator presents clay as a versatile material that accompanies creative processes with children, young people, and adults. It is explained that its flexibility and malleability makes it a medium that connects with a primary creative level. Clay allows for tactile and kinesthetic experiences to bring people closer to their emotions. Next, the group is invited to experiment with their eyes closed in a first guided approach, accompanied by music.
- Sensory exploration (25 min)
With their eyes closed, participants place their hands on the clay to focus on the sensations. The facilitator guides them step by step:
-
- Notice the texture: smooth, rough, hard, soft.
- Grab and hold: light, heavy.
- Pinch and press with different parts of the hand: knuckles, palm, back of the hand.
- Squeeze and smooth to notice how the clay changes.
- Make a hole through it and feel the outline of the hole.
- Form a ball and recognize its softness.
- Tear off large and small pieces.
- Make a “churro” or snake by stretching the material.
The goal is to awaken sensations, release tension, and allow the hands to dialogue with the material.
- Free Creation (40 min)
Each participant creates an artwork from their own piece of clay while keeping their eyes closed. They are encouraged to:
-
- Feel whether the clay suggests its own movement or whether the participant guides it.
- Allow the shape to emerge without prior planning.
- Let themselves be surprised by what appears.
- Observation and retouches (15 min)
- Participants open their eyes and observe their creation from different angles. They can make small adjustments without transforming the essence of the piece, preserving the spontaneity of the initial process.
- Reflection and writing (20 min)
Each person writes down words, feelings, or phrases that answer questions such as:
-
- How did you feel when you touched the clay?
- What sensations arose?
- What feelings came up?
- What did it mean to express something without using words?
- Were you surprised by your creation when you opened your eyes?
- What did you observe in the work of others?
- Sharing (10 min)
- Invite participants to (voluntarily) explain their clay work and name it.
Debriefing and Evaluation:
- How did it feel to express something without using words?
- Did anything surprise you about what you created or saw in others’ work?
When closing, highlight the process experienced and the variety of answers that came up during the activity.
Tips for Facilitators:
- Emphasize that there’s no right or wrong way to shape clay.
- Offer quiet background music to support focus.
- Use clay tools or found items (twigs, shells) for imprinting as options, as well as clays of different colors
Variations and adjustments:
- Share in pairs to encourage a more intimate exchange.
- Make a symbolic gesture or small contribution to another person’s work after listening to their experience.
- Create a collective piece by bringing together fragments from each participant.
Disclaimer:
Consider that if anyone feels uncomfortable working with their eyes closed, or if they have a mental health condition that may make this difficult, it is advisable to offer alternatives such as keeping their eyes open, reducing the duration of the activity, or adapting the exercise to ensure safe and respectful participation. Be aware of the young people who may find verbal expression challenging, including migrants, refugees, neurodiverse youth, or those processing trauma.
Visual arts activities
MODULE 1 NEEDS ANALYSIS
Needs analysis activities
MODULE 2 MUSIC AND MOVEMENT
Contact
Iuliana Adriana PAVEL (project manager)
iuliana.pavel@a4action.ro
A4ACTION – Antim Ivireanu Culture House, Islaz Alley, Ghermănești, Snagov, Ilfov District, Romania, 077170
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the ANPCDEFP. Neither the European Union nor the ANPCDEFP can be held responsible for them.
The project is conducted by the following organisations: A4ACTION (Romania) – coordinator, Udruga Delta (Croatia), InterAktion (Austria), Asociación Espacio Rojo (Spain) and GAIA Museum Outsider Art (Denmark).