I spent last weekend in the North Carolina mountains at a sculptors' retreat sponsored by a pottery supply company in Charlotte.  You can go to www.wildacres.org and check it out.  Oh my goodness, it was a wonderful weekend filled with sculpting and eating.  We had instruction by Chase Winfield who is a world renowned sculptor.  You can see his magnificent work at www.everleaf.com/chasewinfield.   I've been sculpting on a small scale for about 4 years, but never had formal training; so it was an absolute pleasure to be taught by such a master of the art.  I met a lot of great people and learned so much.  I can't wait to go to the next retreat.