Michael McDowell on thu 1 jun 06
It seems time to mention this upcoming workshop again... Vince is
finally healed enough to give workshops again. I'm delighted to
resume hosting him. Details follow, but for complete info on this
workshop follow the link to my website:
http://www.McDowellPottery.com/workshops.htm
July 24-28, 2006 - ANCIENT CLAY, with Vince Pitelka.
Ferndale, Washington - McDowell Studio/Farm
Covers handbuilding techniques, decoration, terra-sigilatta,
burnishing/polishing, bonfire-firing of ancient/tribal
vessels/sculpture.
Beginning through advanced. $300 + clay usage, includes all other
materials and firing.
$50 non-refundable deposit. On-site camping allowed, or motels
nearby. Share cost of group-prepared meals.
Contact Michael McDowell
P.O.Box 960, Ferndale, WA 98248
Phone - 360/384-2543
Email - michael@mcdowellpottery.com
Vince Pitelka on sat 3 jun 06
Please forgive me for tooting my own horn here, but I love doing this
workshop, and it's a special treat when a bunch of Clayarters show up any of
my workshops. If anyone has any questions about this workshop, please email
me. Basically, it's an exploration of the technique and aesthetics of
ancient and tribal clay. That's pretty far from my own artwork in clay, but
I'm a teacher, and I teach things that I think need to be taught. I've
always been concerned that so much of the great technique and theory of
ancient and tribal clay is not covered in university clay programs. I
certainly never learned any of this information in undergraduate school So
in grad school I started researching this information, and taught a
continuing education class called "Primitive Ceramics." I subsequently
realized that the "primitive" reference is inappropriate, because while the
technique might be primitive, the aesthetic is as sophisticated as anything
being done today.
Those first classes inspired my research into terra sigillata that resulted
in the article that is on my website and on the Digitalfire website, plus
additional research into bonfiring, surface patinas, slip decoration, etc..
The early "primitive ceramics" class evolved into the Ancient Clay workshop
that I still do today. I guess I am saying this just to confirm that I
started teaching the Ancient Clay workshop because of a strong personal
commitment to the information, and I continue to teach it for the same
reason.
The workshop is designed to be fun and productive, but it also includes lots
of slide shows covering different aspects of ancient and tribal clay, and it
culminates in a blackware bonfiring on the last day. The slide shows are
not scholarly lectures - they are visual explorations of ancient and tribal
clay from all over the world. I've done these slide shows so many tiems,
and I still enjoy them just as much. They include such amazing work, and it
is always a pleasure to show it and discuss it.
It's always such a treat teaching workshops at Michael's. He's a good
workshop host, and he's become a dear friend of mine. Michael is a very
talented and resourceful person, and in addition to being a fine potter, he
is also a very serious organic gardener, and one of the great perks of the
workshop is that Michael sometimes provides us with organic produce from his
garden. There's never a guarantee of that, but it is a testimonial to
Michael's generosity as a gardener and workshop host that he has usually
provided a variety of produce to incorporate into our group-prepared lunches
and dinners.
Okay, that's enough. Just email me if you have any questions, and I hope to
see a bunch of you at Michael's. As mentioned in his message, specific
information can be found at Michael's website at
http://www.McDowellPottery.com/workshops.htm, and a full description of the
Ancient Clay workshop can be found at my website at
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/workshops/ancient_clay.htm
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
Michael McDowell on mon 5 jun 06
I gather from the follow up note Vince posted which I read in last
night's digest that my original announcement did make it out to you
all. Or at least most of you. I seem to be having some trouble with
my local ISP and there appears to be some lost email. This lost mail
includes the digest for June 2nd and if anyone followed up that
announcement with an immediate inquiry, let me ask you please to
write again. Your last message may be lost in cyberspace.
I also wanted to mention that for those with limited funds there are
a couple of positions available which involve helping the workshop
to come off smoothly and offer workshop participation for only half
the fee.
One such position is for a Whatcom County person who can help me
gathering supplies and preparing the facility. I want a local person
for this because the work must be done in the weeks before the
workshop takes place.
The second reduced fee position is for a person to take on some
extra duties in meal preparation. In years past Vince has served as
BBQ Chef extaordinaire, and I'm pretty sure he'll want to continue
that tradition. The whole group contributes to a kitty and from each
those efforts they are willing to share to put on lunches and
dinners throughout the week. This person needs have a car with them,
as they may be asked to make occasional shopping errands. They will
also be in charge of setting up the dishwashing station where each
person will wash their own dishes. This second position is open to
anyone, since the duties are all during the week of the workshop.
Contact me by email if either of these positions is of interest.
I'm including the announcement of the workshop again in case anyone
else missed it:
It seems time to mention this upcoming workshop again... Vince is
finally healed enough to give workshops again. I'm delighted to
resume hosting him. Details follow, but for complete info on this
workshop follow the link to my website:
http://www.McDowellPottery.com/workshops.htm
July 24-28, 2006 - ANCIENT CLAY, with Vince Pitelka.
Ferndale, Washington - McDowell Studio/Farm
Covers handbuilding techniques, decoration, terra-sigilatta,
burnishing/polishing, bonfire-firing of ancient/tribal
vessels/sculpture.
Beginning through advanced. $300 + clay usage, includes all other
materials and firing.
$50 non-refundable deposit. On-site camping allowed, or motels
nearby. Share cost of group-prepared meals.
Contact Michael McDowell
P.O.Box 960, Ferndale, WA 98248
Phone - 360/384-2543
Email - michael@mcdowellpottery.com
| |
|
