GUEST OF MOLLY CANTOR

Group exhibition of work by McKnight Artists and McKnight Residents from 2025.

two fall workshops AT Alison PALMER STUDIO

HANDBUILDING WORKSHOP: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th to MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th

Pots that Beg to be Used: Design and Engagement

Pots that get picked up, that want to be used, are objects that have been intentionally considered in terms of how to get noticed, grab attention, say use me, USE ME! This workshop is structured to both introduce an aesthetic system of art and design generally taught in academic art courses and to provide ample hands-on creative time to explore this system—the elements of art and principles of design—in pursuit of more engaging pots. Emphasis will be on design ideation and demonstrations will cover how to utilize different hand-building methods to manifest your ideas. Participants will work with multiple construction processes: pinch, coil, slab, and press-molding to investigate pottery forms in a 3-dimensional sketching format. Beginners will be introduced to thinking about pots with regard to the elements and principles and experienced participants will push design boundaries toward more dynamic pottery forms.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Day 1 Presentation: Introduction to the Elements of Art: Tools for design

      overview of hand-building methods and tools

Demonstration: pot-sketching possibilities

Hands-on: pot sketch exercises

Day 2 Presentation: Introduction to the Principles of Design: Tools for Engagement

Demonstration/discussion: sketching in series Hands-on: pot sketch exercises

Day 3 Demonstration/discussion: building a diversified portfolio with

different versions of the same object

Hands-on: pot sketch exercises

Day 4 Discussion: Now, how do I glaze it? Possibilities for surface with regard to form

Mini-critique!

GLAZING AND FIRING WORKSHOP: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2nd to MONDAY, OCTOBER 5th

Color Me Cone 6

This workshop is a structured, hands-on exploration of color development for cone 6 oxidation glazes. Participants will learn how to mix/batch a glaze for testing, how to perform standard test sets, how to create custom test sets, and how to read test tile results. There will be lessons in chemistry, via digital presentation, which will help you understand the results you see in front of you. This workshop is fast-paced, but fun and informative—whether you are a beginner or a seasoned tester, there is always something exciting to be discovered. With the knowledge and experience you acquire during this workshop—whether you make pots or sculptural works—you will have what you need to be in control of your glazing practice. Test tiles, raw materials, and glaze formulas will be provided and all content will be shared with workshop participants in a Google Drive file.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Day 1 Introduction to raw materials for glazes, incl. safety

Demonstration I: batching a glaze with raw materials

Hands-on: batch your glaze

Demonstration II: intensity testing with colorants

Hands-on: test steps

Day 2 Demonstration: coaxial color blend (color run)

Hands-on: test steps, more test steps

Day 3 Hands-on: load kiln

Presentation: Ceramic Chemistry Bootcamp

Day 4 Unload/kiln maintenance

Observation exercise

Discussion of results

GUEST OF JEFF OESTREICH