July 9-13

Ceramic Decals in an Atmospheric Kiln 

Justin Rothshank /Intermediate – Advanced / $495 / Weeklong Workshop / (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!)

In this class we will learn how to design and print iron transfer decals using a laser printer. We will also learn strategies and techniques for achieving success with decals in an atmospheric kiln. The instructor will provide insights for using commercial decals, and how to apply decals to greenware, bisqueware and glazed ware.

Justin Rothshank has been a full-time studio potter since 2008. Prior to that he was co-founder and associate director of Union Project, in Pittsburgh, PA, where he started a Cooperative Community Ceramics Studio. Justin has been a visiting artist, speaker and instructor at numerous schools, craft centers and conferences around the country. His work has been published nationally and internationally. In 2010, Justin constructed a two-chamber wood kiln at his home studio in Goshen, Indiana. He produces a line of functional earthenware pottery, decorated with decals, that is sold in more than two dozen galleries and gift shops around the country. www.rothshank.com

July 23- July 27   and/or   July 30 – August 3

Clay Adornment: Object & Identity 

Sharif Bey /All Levels / $900 or $495 / Two-Week Workshop or One-Week Workshop / (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!)

During this session participants will use earthenware clays and mixed media to create functional and sculptural objects that challenge and expand notions of object, ritual, function and adornment. We will explore pinch, coil, press-mold and thrown and altered forms to construct objects of cultural, historical, political and personal meaning. Participants will additionally experiment with various alternative low-firing methods including sawdust (open pit), faux foil, low-temperature salt and sagger-firings. We will further develop our unique surfaces by layering non-ceramic materials such as nail and shoe polishes, paste wax, permanent markers and acrylic and spray paint in addition to glazes, oxides, slips and terrasigilattas. (Participants have the option of enrolling in one or both sessions.)

 Sharif Bey is an Assistant Professor of Art Education at Syracuse University. Bey began his career in ceramics as a high school student at the Manchester Craftsmens Guild in Pittsburgh. He has since earned a BFA, in ceramics, from Slippery Rock University, an M.F.A from The University of North Carolina and a PhD in Art Education from Penn State University. In addition to his active teaching career, Bey continues to exhibit nationally and internationally. In 2010 Bey completed a commission of three large-scale wall sculptures for the United States Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, and also represented the United States in Vendsyssel, Denmark’s SCANCERM international ceramics exhibition. In 2003-2004 Bey was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to conduct research in sculpture as an artist in residence at The Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia. Bey has additionally taken residence as an artist at The McColl Center for Visual Art in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hunter College in New York City and the Vermont Studio Center.

June 25-29

Finding Creativity in Your Pottery Forms

Jerry Wagner / Intermediate – Advanced / $495 / Weeklong Workshop / (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!)

Learn the mechanics and discipline to produce repeatable forms, as well as define your personal manufacturing process through to conceptualized glaze finish.  We will work on personal growth in the development of Form, Function and Finish, to allow you to produce and individualize a well-crafted, finished product that is repeatable and satisfying to make.  Repetition forces you as the artist to define essential and nonessential ornamentation, as well as how your personal vision fits the finished piece and intended use.

 Jerry Wagner received his master's of fine art degree in ceramics from Edinboro University in 1982 and has worked in the industrial ceramics field for Swindell Dressler International and SBL Kiln Services Inc., and in the area of glass annealing for E.W. Bowman Inc. In 2001, he started Wagner Pottery, a wholesale pottery business. He currently provides assistance and equipment to industrial manufacturers and pottery producers through Danser Inc.

August 6-10

Wheel-Thrown Pottery 

Valda Cox / $495 / All Levels / Weeklong Workshop / (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!)

Perfect your throwing skills with Valda Cox. Using both porcelain and stoneware clays, you will be encouraged to develop your own style. Get involved in glaze mixing, and learn the process and ceremony of firing both electric and gas kilns.

Valda Cox has been a professional potter for more than 30 years. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, and a founding member of Penn Avenue Pottery in Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Valda’s distinguished service and dedicated following of students are legendary--and in 2004 she was named Touchstone’s Artist of the Year.

August 13-17

Hand-Building and Surface Decoration 

Danna Rzecznik / $495 / All Levels / Weeklong Workshop / (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!)

This workshop focuses on hand-building functional and sculptural ceramics with soft slab construction techniques.  Students will create paper patterns, drape and slump molds, and utilize surface decoration techniques which incorporate the use of texture, engobes, stains and glazes.  The class will create their own texture stamps, and observe forms in nature to use as a source of inspiration for the design of their pieces.  Students are encouraged to sketch, design and consider the relationship of the form to the surface decoration throughout the entire process of creating.  Students will also challenge the notion of function by creating functional vessels or sculptural forms that break away from the types of forms and surfaces typically used in traditional wheel-thrown pottery.  This course is a fun way to learn new techniques, experiment with form and surface and let your creativity flow.

Danna Eve Rzecznik is currently an MFA ceramics candidate at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She earned a BFA in ceramics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a K-12 Art Education Certification from Carlow University in Pittsburgh.  She was a 2011 Three Rivers Arts Festival Emerging Artist scholarship winner, and attended Penland School of Craft on a scholarship in 2005.  Her work is currently featured in the Store at the Society for Contemporary Craft, and she has shown her work at Baltimore Clayworks; Celadon-A Clay Art Gallery in Watermill, NY; GalleriE CHIZ in Pittsburgh; and Sweetwater Center for the Arts in Sewickley.  Danna has taught classes, workshops and outreach at Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Carnegie Museum of Art, Father Ryan Art Center, Gannon University and Carlow University. 

August 20-24 

Tiles and Mosaics

Karen Howell / $495 / All Levels / Weeklong Workshop / (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!)

Several techniques for making tiles including the model, molding the model and then producing multiples will be demonstrated; also included will be wet cut mosaics, mounting and grouting the final piece. Each student should be able to produce a small mosaic, and at least one mold and some tiles during the class. Students should bring sketch books, reference materials, clay tools, a small bucket, an x-acto knife, scissors and plastic for covering clay.

 Karen Howell has been creating functional pottery and one-of-a-kind pieces for more than forty years.  She’s a full-time studio artist with a background that includes teaching art in public schools and conducting private ceramic classes. A veteran exhibitor in the art festival world, she has sold work retail and wholesale to galleries across the country.  Solo artist shows and invitational exhibits highlight Karen’s career; her art is included in museum and private collections.  She currently designs and produces porcelain mosaics and tiles for framing and installations. Karen completed ceramic studies at Alfred University and Penn State.  A master’s in ceramics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania followed her bachelor’s in art education and a diploma in commercial art.  Karen is a member of: Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and Ohio Designer Craftsmen.

August 27-31 

Maximizing Naborigama: Creating Work that Gets the Most from Wood Firing Processes

Dan Kuhn / Beginner - Intermediate / $495 / Weeklong Workshop / (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!)

This is a firing workshop and an exploration of those ceramic properties that maximize wood firing processes.  Students will participate in loading and firing the Naborigama wood-fired kiln. This is a two chamber Naborigama. The first chamber is wood, and the second is wood and salt. Surface treatments for atmospheric firing, such as flashing slips, colored slips and glaze application, will be discussed prior to loading.  Students should bring 20-30 pieces of bisque ware.  Students MUST use cone 10 clay or porcelain.  One day will be loading, two+ days for firing and then unloading on Saturday. There will be demonstrations in functional and sculptural ceramics, as well as ample opportunities to make work while the kiln is cooling. Bring leather gloves and a want for smoke and fire.

Dan Kuhn’s bio can be found under Exploring Decal Usage in Sculptural and Functional Ceramics.

September 21-23

Gas Kiln Construction 

Dale Huffman /All Levels / $200 / Weekend Workshop / (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!)

This workshop is designed to help students understand the process of designing and building a gas kiln.  Kiln design/building considerations will be covered, and then students will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on kiln build.  Students should plan to have clothing for outdoor, physical work.  Work gloves and layers appropriate to the weather are advisable. 

Dale Huffman: After earning his BS in physics from Carnegie Mellon University, and his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Dale Huffman spent nearly two decades as a full-time studio artist.  During the past five years Dale’s work has been included in 50 exhibitions: nine regional, 15 national, 22 international, and four solo. Dale has conducted workshops in Denmark, Spain and the United States.  His work and writings about ceramics have been included in books and leading periodicals from England, Germany, Ireland, Australia and the United States.  Dale has designed and built numerous kilns, including the wood kiln that he established in 1998 near Canonsburg, Pa.  Dale is currently a professor of art and chair of the art department at Carlow University in Pittsburgh.

September 28-30 

Exploring Raku

Joe Sendek / All Levels / $250 / Weekend Workshop / (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!)

Originally taken from the Chinese, the Raku firing method is sometimes known as "happy circumstances." Each piece of pottery may be produced exactly the same way, glazed the same way, and Raku kiln fired the same way, but each piece will yield different results (or happy circumstances!). In this way, Raku has come to be identified with being happy with each moment and the results obtained within each moment. In this two-day intensive workshop, explore Raku by working with various glazes and combustibles. Bring bisque fired pieces with you, if you have them. If not, there will be pieces available for you to experiment with.

Joe Sendek’s bio can be found under Wheel-Thrown Pottery Intensive.