Workshop Description:  

Surrounding the core ideas of making art objects, this workshop investigates gathering local materials, handbuilding techniques that can be incorporated into larger works, while focusing on small/medium figurative and abstract sculptures, multiple firing and reglazing techniques and taking risk in your artistic practice.  

The goal is to begin a new conversation within each participant’s practice, and to consider in conjunction the concepts of content, craft, and courage in their work.

A ∆ 2/3 cooling-reduction in a gas kiln will be fired with gathered local clays and processed materials.

Starting with high-vitrification point wares, the reglazing process at midrange to low-fire begins.  In this reglazing process, participants experiment with custom glaze combinations and alter manufactured glazes to create their own palette. 

Alongside object-making, participants will draw to scale and take photos of work being produced, printing them out on paper to encourage ideas for glaze/slip compositions.

Media & Techniques to be covered:

removable metal armatures, glazes, slips, terra sigillata, china paints, lusters, gas reduction firing, and water erosion 

Processes to be explored:

Local clay processing (breadth of use in practice). Clay body inclusions and additives.  Multiple-firing techniques. Glaze inclusions. Drawing to scale alongside working on sculptures. 

Washing away/eroding material surfaces. Electric and gas firing. 

Students will bring work already fired to temp ∆6 or ∆10, bisque ware, and found materials to process. Workshop participants will make small sculptures, glaze on fired work, process clay, and experiment.