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appalachian craft center

updated tue 13 aug 02

 

Dannon Rhudy on mon 12 aug 02


I'm late reporting on the Craft Center workshop, since
I've meanwhile been away another week. But - the
Craft Center was it's usual beautiful self. Warmer than
the last time I was there, but comfortable anyway. It really
is a good facility, and less costly to attend than many places.

I've never taught a workshop to absolute beginners before.
It wasn't necessarily aimed at that, but in the event all the
attendees were complete novices, no throwing experience
at all. I've taught many beginners, but only in a classroom
situation, where sixteen weeks is the norm. In this case, they
had five short days to learn whatever they could learn. It was
really interesting to see what they did in the time. They didn't
begin on the wheel until Monday afternoon, and by end of day
on Wednesday they had several pieces each that were worth
firing. Nothing large, but all were making good cylinders and
turning them into bowls, mugs, vase forms. Two even managed
some good crisp plates by Friday, with well trimmed feet. And
all of them made some closed forms with cut lids, too. Nothing
really large and nothing really small, but good solid mid-range
pieces. I was surprised, and they were pleased and quite proud -
as well they should have been. I'd had them tapping center,
pulling handles and faceting as beginning exercises each morning,
so when it came time to trim and finish, they were able to do decent jobs,
with neither help nor hindrance from me.

I learned a lot more than they did, as usual. And had a peaceful
green time in the midst of Tennessee.

regards

Dannon Rhudy

Susan Cline on mon 12 aug 02


Dannon -- doesn't surprise me a bit that your beginners learned so much so
quickly (I wish you'd been my beginning teacher). You are a fine fine teacher
with a gentle non-intimidating manner. No wonder.................

Sue, in Cincinnati

On Mon, 12 Aug 2002 07:42:51 -0500 Dannon Rhudy wrote:

> I'm late reporting on the Craft Center
> workshop, since
> I've meanwhile been away another week. But -
> the
> Craft Center was it's usual beautiful self.
> Warmer than
> the last time I was there, but comfortable
> anyway. It really
> is a good facility, and less costly to attend
> than many places.
>
> I've never taught a workshop to absolute
> beginners before.
> It wasn't necessarily aimed at that, but in the
> event all the
> attendees were complete novices, no throwing
> experience
> at all. I've taught many beginners, but only
> in a classroom
> situation, where sixteen weeks is the norm. In
> this case, they
> had five short days to learn whatever they
> could learn. It was
> really interesting to see what they did in the
> time. They didn't
> begin on the wheel until Monday afternoon, and
> by end of day
> on Wednesday they had several pieces each that
> were worth
> firing. Nothing large, but all were making
> good cylinders and
> turning them into bowls, mugs, vase forms. Two
> even managed
> some good crisp plates by Friday, with well
> trimmed feet. And
> all of them made some closed forms with cut
> lids, too. Nothing
> really large and nothing really small, but good
> solid mid-range
> pieces. I was surprised, and they were pleased
> and quite proud -
> as well they should have been. I'd had them
> tapping center,
> pulling handles and faceting as beginning
> exercises each morning,
> so when it came time to trim and finish, they
> were able to do decent jobs,
> with neither help nor hindrance from me.
>
> I learned a lot more than they did, as usual.
> And had a peaceful
> green time in the midst of Tennessee.
>
> regards
>
> Dannon Rhudy
>
>
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