Masters Series Workshops: 2009-2010
(Scroll Down for Summer 2010 Workshops!)
These workshops are led by visiting artists and are designed to inform, inspire, and cultivate new interests. Participants spend extensive time in the studio with the focus on learning new techniques, and engage in informal seminar presentations and discussions. Workshops run from 10AM to 4PM daily.
"Constructed Forms /Slipped Surfaces", Victoria Christen, Oct. 17 – 18, 2009
In this two day workshop Victoria Christen will demonstrate constructing pots from thrown and hand built parts using terra cotta clay. Through the use of colored slips and terra sigillatas, she will explore the relationship between form and surface for functional pottery. She will demonstrate a variety of application techniques for surface decoration from the use of flat areas of color, to loose needle carved drawing, to delicate brushwork. All work is done on leather hard clay creating a close relationship of form to surface. This workshop is open to all skill levels. Victoria will also give a talk about her work and influences. Tuition: $245 ($215 currently enrolled students). Note: this workshop runs Saturday, 2-8pm and Sunday, 10-4pm.
Victoria Christen is a studio potter living in Portland Oregon. MFA from the University of Minnesota; former resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation; teaches workshop nationally and internationally. She has received many awards, including an NEA Regional Visual Arts Fellowship Award. For more information: www.victoriachristen.com
"Two Days with Jeff Shapiro", November 21-22, 2009
In this workshop we will address issues of wood firing, aesthetics vs efficiency, romanticism/ pragmatism, and creative thinking. Demonstrations will include making faceted triangular bottles from wheel thrown forms, slab construction, as well as altered throwing of tea bowls, tea cups and sake cups. We will also look at trimming soft and spontaneously. Shapiro encourages discourse, and this workshop should be a lively and informative sharing of ideas and techniques. A slide presentation of The Japan Experience will reflect on the 9 years Shapiro spent studying in Japan. Tuition: $245 ($215 currently enrolled students).
Jeff Shapiro studied in Japan from 1973-1980. Since 1981 he has been living and working in upstate New York. Jeff’s work is in numerous public and private collections throughout the United States and he has exhibited in Solo and Group exhibitions around the world. Concurrently he has written articles and reviews in ceramic journals. More of his work can be found at: www.jeffshapiroceramics.com
"Clay As Canvas: Exploring Multiple Firings", Matt Nolen, May 15-16, 2010
In this two-day, hands-on workshop, we will explore the possibilities of building rich ceramic surfaces through multiple firings. On day one, we will respond to previously glaze fired cone 6/cone 10 ware and learn techniques, materials and strategies for a 2nd glaze firing to cone 04-06. Laser print transfers will also be introduced. Day 1 work will be fired overnight. On day 2, Overglaze enamels (China Paint), decals and luster will be the focus and we will work in traditional and innovative ways on top of our fired glaze surfaces. Tuition: $245 ($215 currently enrolled students).
Matt Nolen is a studio artist living and working in New York City. His work has been exhibited internationally, is included in numerous collections and has been reviewed and written about in many books and periodicals. Nolen is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art at NYU, Pratt Institute, and Hunter College and is currently serving as President of the Board of Trustees at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, Maine. For more info, visit: http://www.nolenstudios.com
"China Painting: New Directions", Paul Lewing, July 9-11, 2010
China paint (or overglaze enamel) is a 1000-year-old medium which few clay artists know today. This introductory workshop explores the use of this exciting painting medium on tile and pottery, either commercially made or handmade. Emphasis will be on water-soluble mediums, rather than the traditional oil. All skill levels of potters, painters, and traditional china painters are welcome. Potters will enjoy the bright colors and immediacy of the painting; china painters will discover non-toxic and non-allergenic mediums. Some hands-on, and students will leave with finished work. Includes slide show of Paul’s and other china painted work. Tuition: $365 ($325 currently enrolled students).
Paul Lewing is a tile muralist from Seattle, WA, author of “China Paint & Overglaze” and holder of both a BFA and MFA from University of Montana, Missoula. He has worked with clay and glazes since 1965 and with china paint since 1986. His work has been featured in numerous books and magazines, as well as shows and museum collections, and in over 1000 private commissions. For more info, visit www.paullewingtile.com
"A Couple of Days with Donnie: He's Back", Don Reitz, July 10-11, 2010
"I will be demonstrating my techniques of making large scale sculpture from wheel thrown parts. I will also demonstrate wheel thrown sculptural vessels, which will include functional and non-functional forms. I will use slips and colored engobes to enhance form. Slab construction, painting and decorating techniques on wet clay will also be explored. The workshop will be supplemented with slides." Tuition: $245 ($215 currently enrolled students).
The name Don Reitz is synonymous with change and constant growth. He has dedicated fifty of his eighty years to ceramic arts. Well known for his unique teaching style and dynamic workshops, Reitz is sought after worldwide. Affectionately referred to as “Mr. Salt”, Reitz is credited with the renaissance of salt glazing. His unique approach of introducing bright colors fueled this movement. Always being content to be discontent (the only constant he has is change); Reitz has moved to larger sculptural forms and the wood firing process. He is now bringing a bright color palate to wood firing. Reitz has presented lectures and workshops in all fifty states, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, France, England, Denmark, Norway, etc. Reitz, after teaching for twenty-six years at the University of Wisconsin, has moved his studio to Clarkdale, Arizona. For more info: www.donreitz.com
"Mapping Out the Village: A Mural of Greenwich House" Bruce Howdle, July 16-18, 2010
In this workshop Bruce will demonstrate, from start to finish, how he conceptualizes and constructs his ceramic murals. He will be creating a special mural to commemorate Greenwich House Pottery’s 100th Anniversary. Additionally, Bruce will be discussing the logistics and the how-to for Public Art Commissions. This workshop will be a primer for anyone interested in designing, making and mounting outdoor, or indoor, murals. Tuition: $365 ($325 currently enrolled students).
Bruce Howdle received his MFA at Arizona State University in 1976, his MA from Northern Arizona University in 1974 and his BS/Ed, from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1969. He is currently a Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and before that was a Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 12 years. Bruce has been a professional muralist for 30 years. Bruce’s work can be seen in many public spaces throughout the United States. For more info: www.brucehowdle.com
"Throwing and Altering Porcelain" , Matt Long, July 16-18, 2010
The demonstrations will concentrate on exploring the gestural qualities of porcelain through functional pottery. I will be making work that is thrown and immediately altered off the wheel. Through the exploration of line and gesture, I have been working with thick slip as a way to express yet another kind of line that highlights the material in a different way. It is this exploration of line and gesture that continues to captivate me as I continue to express those qualities that is inherent in the material. We will cover many areas of pot making, including functional and aesthetic choices that lead to a better understanding of material, and the generation of new ideas and processes. Tuition: $365 ($325 currently enrolled students).
Matt Long received his MFA at Ohio University in 1997, and his BFA from The Kansas City Art Institute in 1995. He is currently an Assistant Professor at The University of Mississippi, running the ceramics area. Matt has been a potter for 22 years, and currently resides in Oxford Mississippi where he teaches, and has a studio at home. Matt’s work can be seen in many national juried and invitational shows throughout the country. Matt teaches between 6-8 workshops a year, and he is involved in 8-10 national shows a year. For more info: www.fullvictory.com
