search  current discussion  categories  places - other 

ceramics in guatemala

updated sun 11 apr 04

 

Ron Collins on sat 10 apr 04


----- Original Message -----
From: "Liza Fourre"
www.artguat.org

> A shameless promotion from Liza Fourre: via Ron/Melinda Collins:

you've all expressed a desire to take
> Melinda Collins ceramics class in guatemala
> as you know, > i have it scheduled again for july 20-29
> of this year.. coming up soon !!
> so, i wanted to check in with you all
> and see if you could make it for this july ...
>
> and i am right now
> working on the 2005 schedule...
> since melinda lives here in antigua, she
> is more flexible than most of our instructors
> in terms of when she can teach this workshop...
>
> so if you can't make in july,, please let
> me know if feb or march next year (2005)
> would work,, and i'll try to take that
> into consideration as i finish the schedule..
>
> thanks for your help,,,, and hope to see
> you soon in guatemala !!!
>
> PORCELAIN WITH A MAYAN TOUCH 20 - 29 July
'04
> Working with porcelain is relatively new as an artform in Guatemala.
> Creating porcelain requires firing at extremely high temperatures and
> local indigenous potters just haven't had the ability to fire at such
high
> temperatures. But then, MELINDA COLLINS, a Texan ceramic artist and
her
> husband Ron decided to settled in Antigua just a few years ago. They've
> built a beautiful ceramic studio and spent a lot of time researching the
> history of Mayan ceramics, how local potters still work with lead and fire
> at low temperatures to create the day to day ceramic pots used by local
> families, but have also discovered how to create beautiful, utilitarian
and
> safe, lead-free pottery using local Guatemalan materials.
>
> As a participant in this workshop, you'll primarily work on handbuilding
> utilitarian vessels and pots. It is a great overview for those who are
> just starting out, but also experienced potters will learn new techniques
> and uses of porcelain. You'll actually go out in the field, learn how to
> look for and dig the clay you'll use in the studio. You'll learn about
> Guatemalan kaolins, ball clays, volcanic ash, wood ash and local clays and
> jade and how to make beautiful glazes with them.
>
> Melinda is a potter who has extensive experience both teaching (over 15
> years) and working in many types of claywork, but specializes in
functional
> stoneware and porcelain pieces that people use in their daily lives (not
> abstract or sculptural). She and Ron have developed and used natural
> prospected materials including mica and mica clay, ochers, volcanic ash,
> volcanic basalt, obsidian, Guatemalan native clays, and jade in their
work.
> Melinda writes articles related to their findings for the Guatemalan
> magazine, THE REVUE. www.revuemag.com Ron is a geologist and retired
USAF pilot, and an
> expert on locating jade in the mountains of Guatemala. He is fluent in
> Spanish, having grown up in Columbia and Venezuela. Their complementary
> skills make them a GREAT team!!
>
> This workshop is held in ANTIGUA, a delightful (and very safe) small town
> with an international ambience. Cafes, cobblestone streets winding through
> the city's architectural treasures, a rich history at your doorstep. One
> day we'll go into Guatemala City to visit the Museo Popol Vuh -to meet
> Guatemala's best know ceramacists Carlos Chaclan, who restores the
original
> Mayan clay artifacts for the museum. We'll also have a
> demonstration/lecture by Venancio Ixcoy, a local indigenous potter who
> makes minature birds that you'll incorporate into some of your ceramic
> work. Then, one afternoon we'll take you to a nearby village to spend
> time with a local family, try your hand at making tortillas and sample a
> typical delicious meal of Pepian.
>
> **Total cost, including tuition, airfare from many major US cities,
> lodging, breakfasts, ground transporation, and field trips is
approximately
> US$1945.
> For more info call (612) 825-0747 / FAX: (612) 825-6637 email:
> info@artguat.org
> Or you may contact MELINDA or RON directly at (502) 832-4356 or
> melron@conexion.com.gt. Our very cool website: http://www.artguat.org/
>
>
> Liza Fourre/Director
> Art Workshops in Guatemala
> 4758 Lyndale Avenue South
> Minneapolis MN 55409-2304
> 612-825-0747 FAX: 612-825-6637
> Website: http://www.artguat.org/
> Callejon Lopez # 22
> Antigua Sacatepequez Guatemala
> 502-832-6403 / FAX 502-832-6925
>
>