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mudpie potters workshop series * spring & summer 2001

updated fri 9 mar 01

 

DCurtis171@AOL.COM on thu 8 mar 01


How to Handle Ceramic Raw Materials Safely and Clay/Glaze Defects
Instructor: Jeff Zamek, Southampton, MA
You love to work with clay and now you are setting up your own studio. Do
you know the healthy way to do this? Do you know if the pots you are
selling are non-toxic? Safe handling of ceramic materials should be the
first concern of anyone working with clay and firing kilns. Come join Jeff
to learn the proper way to handle all ceramic chemicals and set up healthy
studio practices.=A0 Also bring in samples of glaze problems you are
experiencing and let Jeff identify and offer suggestions to correct the
defect.=A0 Jeff is a regular contributer to Ceramics Monthly, check his
website for more information http://www.westmass.com/fixpots.
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 One day: Saturday, May 19, 2001=A0 9:30 am-5 pm, bring a bag=
lunch=A0=A0 $75

Make Your Own Brushes for Glazing
Instructors:=A0 Mudpie's own Don Curtis & Steve Saxenian
Due to this workshop's success last year, Mudpie's studio has gorgeous
brushes of various shapes and sizes peeking out of many of our resident's
shelves. Bring hair, fur and interesting wood, sticks, bone and wire to
this one-day workshop and go home with beautiful handmade brushes for
painting or glazing.=A0 If you don't have fur or handle materials to bring,
don't worry, everything will be available at the workshop for you to use.
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 One day: Sunday, May 20, 2001 10 am-4 pm, bring a bag lunch=
=A0 $60 +
matl's fee

Carved & Pierced Porcelain: a weekend of slides, lecture and demonstration
Instructor: Gary Grosenbek, Ashfield, MA
Come share, discuss and learn with Gary this weekend. His beautifully
formed and carved porcelain pieces draw from his own studies in art
history, printmaking and, of course, ceramics. He will discuss the
evolution of his own work and hopes you will bring some of your own pieces
to share and discuss as well. Come be inspired by the beauty of porcelain
and come home with solid techniques to use in your own work!
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 One weekend: Sat. & Sun., June 9-10, 2001=A0 10 am-4 pm, bri=
ng a bag
lunch=A0=A0 $150

Raku Firing & BBQ
Instructor:=A0 Jana Silver, Amherst, MA
Come join the director of Mudpie Center for Visual Arts (our very own Jana
Silver) as she offers one day of instruction on her own personal approach
to raku firing. While we are firing our pots we will also be firing up the
BBQ grills to end our day with a feast! Bring 5 bisqued pieces to glaze and
fire. Limit 15 students.
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 One day: Sun, July 1, 2001 10 am-3 pm, bring a bag lunch and
something to BBQ=A0 $50

Spontaneous Clay: throwing and handbuilding quick forms
Instructor: Natalie Blake, Putney, VT
How about a bright blue teapot riding on wacky chartreuse wheels with a
golden yellow handle that screams to be picked up? Cool huh! Spontaneity.
Intuition. These are words we are losing sight of in our tech saturated
world. Natalie will loosen up your throwing skills and get you making quick
forms that let your instincts guide the creation process. You may choose to
take the workshop just for the experience or you may glaze your pieces with
Natalie's single-fire low-temp glazes. At an additional charge, we will
fire and send them to you after the workshop.
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 One day: July 28, 2001=A0 10 am-5 pm, bring a bag lunch=A0=
=A0 $75

Throwing and Building: a hands-on weekend focusing on altering the thrown fo=
rm

Instructor: Sam Taylor, Westhampton, MA
Sam's finely crafted wood-fired work takes functional to the next level.
Rectangular ewers, mugs with attitude,=A0 all thrown on the wheel and
finished by hand. Students should have basic wheel skills. At additional
cost you may have your pieces bisqued and sent to you after the workshop.
Check out Sam's website for more information
http://www.netquarters.net/~btaylor/dogbar. Limit 12 students.
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 One weekend:=A0 Sat & Sun Aug 4-5=A0 10 am-4 pm, bring a bag=
lunch=A0=A0 $150


Making Contemporary Pots Using Traditional Southwestern Pottery Techniques
Instructor:=A0 Michael Wisner, Snossmass, CO
This workshop is a wonderful opportunity to learn from a teacher who has
been taught by master potters in the southwest tradition: Lucy Lewis Acoma,
Blue Corn San Ildefonso, Juan Quezada Casa Grandes, Emma, Dolores, and Drew
Lewis Acoma, among other greats. Michael brings everything you will need to
create your own pottery in this weekend of decorating, burnishing and
firing. See Ceramics Monthly Nov. 1999 issue for a detailed description of
his work in the article The Spirit to Learn, the Spirit to Teach, and check
his website: southwestpottery.com.=A0=A0 Limit 20 students.
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Two days: Tues & Wed, Aug 21-22, 2001 10 am-5 pm, bring a ba=
g lunch
$175 + $20 matls fee

Throwing Big Bowls: a weekend of instruction and practice on the wheel
Instructor: Steven Saxenian, Amherst, MA
Steve is a long-time resident of Mudpie Potters. Over the years Steve has
been working on his vision of the perfect big bowl. Join him as he shares
his techniques for throwing really wide, deep, and tall bowls while he
helps you become sucessful throwing the big bowls as well.=A0 Limit 10
students.
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 One weekend:=A0 Sat. & Sun. September 8-9, 2001=A0 10 am-5 p=
m, bring a
bag lunch=A0=A0 $150

Angela Fina's Approach to Surviving the Business of Pottery: a day of
business tips for potters
Instructor:=A0 Angela Fina, Amherst, MA
We are very pleased to have Angela of Ceramics Monthly cover fame (May
1999) back at Mudpie, this time to share her 20 years of experience about
the dollars and sense of staying in business as a potter. Angela will
discuss the pros and cons of mechanized production, hiring employees,
keeping track of the numbers, and much more. Please bring your questions
and business quandrys.
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 One day: Saturday, September 15, 2001 10 am-4 pm, bring a ba=
g lunch=A0=20
$75


Registration & Cancellation Policy

Students must send 50% of the cost of the workshop(s) they are interested
in to hold their space. Full refund is possible until 3 weeks before the
scheduled date of the workshop. 50% refund from the third to second week
before the scheduled date of the workshop. No refund will be given during
the 2 weeks prior to the start of the workshop. If Mudpie must cancel your
workshop, you will receive a full refund. When a student's deposit is
received, Mudpie will send a postcard or email a confirmation to you.
Limited camping space is available for out-of-town students at the
director's home in Leverett, $15 a night includes breakfast. There are B&Bs
in the Leverett/Shutesbury area as well. Call (413) 367-0047 for more
information.



UPCOMING EVENTS:

2nd Annual MUDPIE Pottery & Crafts Festival=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0=20=
=A0 =A0=A0 May 12,
10am-5pm
Juried outdoor festival featuring fine craftspersons from the Pioneer
Valley, craft demonstrations, make-your-own Mother's Day gifts, children's
art activities, food tent and pottery raffle. Free Admission. Leverett
Crafts & Arts, 13 Montague Rd., Leverett, (413) 548-3939,
MudpieDG@shaysnet.com


Members of the Mudpie Potters Coop present:=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0=20=
=A0 =A0=A0 Nov. 5-30
MUDFEST 2001, their 7th Annual Exhibition and Sale
Gallery exhibition and sales all month, Reception and Seconds Sale Nov. 17,
10am-5pm.=A0 A portion of the proceeds to benefit Mudpie Potters, a nonprofi=
t
community clay studio open to anyone wishing to work in clay. Mudpie's 26
members range from beginners to expert sculptors/potters=A0 who keep their
hands in the clay just for the love of it. Great prices on firsts &
seconds! The Barnes Gallery at Leverett Crafts & Arts, 13 Montague Rd.,
Leverett, (413) 548-3939, MudpieDG@shaysnet.com