Contextures: Expressive Forms and Sexy Surfaces

This course focuses on content-driven construction and surface explorations as one approach to developing pots that beg to be used. Students with an interest in creating minimal, yet expressive, forms through hand-building processes will work with soft to leather-hard slab construction techniques and investigate surface possibilities through slip and glaze testing. Demonstrations and discussions include pattern development, making bisque ware drape and press molds, and problem solving toward creating/revealing meaning through ceramic materials and processes.

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Eight-week Intensive Course

Common Ground

Birdie Boone & Matt Repsher

This pot-centric workshop will focus on guiding students toward a personal aesthetic that reflects their own creative motivations. With an eye toward developing strong interactions between form and surface, demonstrations and discussions will include design and construction of minimal forms through wheelthrowing and handbuilding. We’ll also cover pattern development, making simple molds, using slips, carving, and glaze color and surface development. We’ll work primarily with mid-range dark stonewares and electric kiln firing. All levels.

Birdie: Studio artist; teaching: Emory & Henry College (VA), Worcester Center for Crafts (MA), Anderson Ranch (CO), Haystack (ME), Idyllwild Arts (CA); representation: Northern Clay Center (MN); shows: American Pottery Festival (MN), Art of the Pot (TX). 

Matt: Studio artist; teaching: Indiana University, University of New Mexico, Pocosin Arts (NC); shows: Smithsonian Craft Show (DC), American Pottery Festival (Minneapolis), Art of the Pot (TX).

click here to go to online catalog page (penland.org)

see more on IG (Instagram)

birdie: @btothebth

matt: @repsherceramics

The Well-Rounded Pot: Handbuilt Forms and Color Investigations

Go beyond addressing utility, discover how to include subtle metaphoric or allegoric cues that are paramount to making ‘well-rounded’ pots that beg to be used. You will investigate the ways ceramic materials and processes can be used to initiate sensory experiences. Work with soft to leather-hard slab construction techniques and investigate surface possibilities via glaze color testing as a means to create minimal yet expressive forms using handbuilding processes. Concentrate on simplicity of form, the care of your touch, and formal (technical and aesthetic) decisions that serve your intentions. Demonstrations and discussions will include paper pattern development, making simple greenware and bisqueware drape and press molds with mica clay, glaze color development, and problem-solving toward creating and revealing meaning through ceramic materials and processes. You can expect to leave with new templates, clay drape and press molds, fired glaze tests, bisque-fired pots that inform your current work or lead to new directions, and a few glaze-fired pieces.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO @ IDYLLWILD ARTS

WORKSHOP FULL

if this changes we will be sure to make an announcement!

3 DAY INTENSIVE HANDS ON CLASS WITH BIRDIE BOONE

325.00

June 17, 18, 19 10 - 4pm

This class is geared toward someone with basic skills -- late beginner to advanced.  Please email us any questions.

During this 3 day workshop, Birdie will demonstrate her hand building methods, share what motivates her own formal and technical decisions, and lead discussions on how ceramic materials and processes can 'follow' meaning/metaphor. Participants will learn to make hand building aids/tools including bisqueware/greenware bullet molds, hump molds and simple 1 or 2 piece press molds. During hands-on portions of the workshop, do everything from designing forms and creating paper templates to designing prototypes (and making the molds) for press-molded objects such as spouts, handles, and feet. Birdie will also present an introduction to color development in glazes.

325.00 includes personal instruction, snacks and beverages. + $25.00 material fee due on the first day of the workshop.

visit yondershop for details