Learn the Ancient Technique of Moroccan Tadelakt with Ryan Chivers
Ryan Chivers is the founder of Artesano Plaster in Boulder, Colorado. He works with traditional materials and techniques such as lime and clay. Ryan has traveled to Marrakech in Morocco to learn the ancient art of Tadelakt. After nearly 10 years of practice, he is now teaching this magical technique to others throughout the country.
Get Started with Moroccan Tadelakt
Description - Ryan will teach you the basics of this exacting craft by working with you to create a shimmering tadelakt ball. The core of the ball is made from cob, a combination of clay, sand, and straw. This traditional earthen building material is ancient and durable. We will cover the ball in an elegant coating of tadelakt. Slowly hand polishing it with a smooth stone and olive oil soap until it shines.
Cost - $150.00 per person.
Max three people per experience.
Each experience will last between two and three hours.
We require a $25 refundable deposit to reserve your Soulcrafting experience.
Create a Hand-Sculpted Art Piece Finished in Tadelakt
Description - This experience allows you to work with cob, a mixture of clay, sand and straw, to create any form that you want. You can hand sculpt a planter or a bowl, sinking your hands into the mud, to create your own unique piece. When your creation has dried, you will cover it in a beautiful tadelakt finish in any color you choose. You can add elements of design with different colored fresco effects and sgraffito (scratched design).
Cost - $250.00 per person.
Max three people per experience.
Two, three-hour sessions will be required, with a week or two in between for drying.
We require a $25 refundable deposit to reserve your Soulcrafting experience.
Help Create a Tadelakt Shower or Sink in Your Own Home
Description - The real magic and purpose of tadelakt lies in it’s waterproof qualities. Seamless showers and sinks can be created in a wide variety of forms and colors. Tadelakt is a delicious finish material that is shiny and sensuous to the touch. Your shower or sink will be one of a kind, as tadelakt is never exactly re produceable. You will work with Ryan in the final stages lovingly polishing every square inch with a smooth stone and olive oil soap.
Cost - TBD depending on design and logistics.
We require a $25 refundable deposit to reserve your Soulcrafting experience.
About Ryan Chivers
Ryan Chivers founded Artesano Plaster in 1999 to move beyond conventional construction towards a more natural and inspiring way to build. Ryan soon discovered strawbale construction and the art of plastering. Fascinated with traditional techniques and materials, Ryan spends time researching, formulating, testing, and re-learning the old ways using materials that are abundant almost everywhere on earth. He has travelled to Morocco to expand his knowledge of tadelakt and is well connected and respected in the natural building and traditional plastering fields.