Arcosanti has recently announced new 2025 dates for its popular one-day bell-making experience. Four upcoming experiences are now available to reserve, including: Saturday, March 8, Saturday, April 12, Saturday, May 3 and Saturday, May 17.

Each day-long class invites participants to explore the one-of-a-kind silt-cast bell-making process developed by The Cosanti Foundation. This process is still used daily by the creative artisans of Cosanti Originals to make Cosanti’s world-famous windbells.

During the experience, participants will have the unique opportunity to cast and carve their own one-of-a-kind ceramic bell using clay and dirt. Attendees should come prepared to get their hands dirty as they enjoy this unforgettable tactile experience.

The schedule for each course is as follows:

8 a.m.: Introductory Tour

Experience a guided tour of Arcosanti, a prototype micro-city practicing arcology, which is a design philosophy incorporating architecture and ecology. Guests will view the different spaces and arts at Arcosanti while their guide illustrates the history and theory behind the community.

9 a.m.: Forming Bells

Participants will be guided through the process of creating earthen bell molds using a bed of silt, and instructors will describe the unique plaster mold process. Once the silt molds are formed, participants will pour a slip, a mixture of water and clay, into the cavity, which then forms a clay vessel around the surface of the mold as the water evaporates over time.

Noon: Lunch (included)

Guests will be treated to a homemade meal provided by the Arcosanti Café.

1 p.m.: Carving Bells

Considered to be the centerpiece of the day, at this time, the Arcosanti ceramics artisans will show participants the main tools and techniques they use to carve designs into a clay wind bell. The artisans will elaborate on their distinct styles of artwork, both within the Cosanti family of design and through individual expression.

3 p.m. Group Photo and Salutation

As this shared process experience comes to a close, attendees will have an opportunity to see each other’s works before finishing and individual photos as well as a group photo will be taken. After the class is finished, the clay bells will be fired and then shipped to each person.

The cost for each one-day bell-making experience is $195 per person. Finished bells will be shipped directly to participants for a flat fee of $20. To learn more and register for an upcoming experience, visit arcosanti.org/bell-making-experience/.

For more about Arcosanti, visit arcosanti.org.