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2010 Sculpture Classes

April 30 - May 2 
Exploring Woodcarving
Class Cancelled

Thomas McCarty  All Levels $210

Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $20

Minimum age requirement: 12 years old

 

May 14 - 16

Narrative Sculpture

Mary Cloonan  All Levels  $250

This workshop will encourage artists to explore personal symbols and memories, transforming them into ceramic expression. Delving into images gleaned from the ordinary objects that one is drawn to, an artist can develop a visual vocabulary of forms and textures to then ‘write’ a story. With clay and the creative process, we will emphasize the importance of being open to possibility by trying to find magic in the mundane. This workshop will utilize hand-building techniques and tips for constructing sculpture as a single piece or from multiple components.  Surface discussion will include the use of slip, under-glaze, glaze and post-firing materials. The incorporation of mixed media and found objects to complete the vision will be discussed and encouraged.

Mary's Instructor Page

May 21 - 23

Sharpening & Tuning Woodworking Hand Tools

Dante DiIanni  Beginner/Intermediate  $220

Complete Information is not yet available.
Dante's Instructor Page

June 27 - July 3 

Wood & Soapstone Sculpture

Chris Shackelford  All Levels  $450

Materials Fee: $50 wood, $2.50 lb. for soapstone

Using a very organic and experiential approach, explore carving in your choice of wood or stone, or both! Discover abundant potential in subtractive sculpture. Transform a 3-to-4 foot hardwood log into a finished sculpture. Discover your voice inside a piece of soapstone. Simplify your vision by breaking through to the core of the material. In this class you will develop efficient, proper, and safe use of a minimum number of hand tools. Learn how to choose your wood/stone, begin a dialogue with your chosen material, evolve your piece, and enhance the circularity of three dimensional sculpture. History, finishes, bases, and multi-media options will be explored. No experience necessary. ONE, TWO, or THREE DAY STUDENTS WELCOME!
Minimum age requirement: 13 years old
Chris' Instructor Page

 

July 4 - 10

Low Tech Sophisticate

Will Giannotti  All Levels $450
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $TBD

This class will explore the development of conceptual and aesthetic concerns of students through the medium of wood. We'll cover topics such as traditional carpentry and furniture making techniques, carving, various tool use, and beyond as they relate to student projects. Students should bring their ideas and expect to have fun.

Will's Instructor Page

July 25 - 31

Chainsaw Sculpture

Rick Rhodes  Intermediate  $445

Complete Information is not yet available.
Rick's Instructor Page

 

August 1 - 7 
Small Sculpture Design & Fabrication

Charles Pinckney  All Levels $450

In this workshop, we will explore design and the concept of  “art as oral tradition” using traditional metals and surface embellishment techniques as a foundation for combining metals with natural materials to fabricate medium scale objects. Participants will learn through discussion, demonstration, and hands-on experience and will leave the workshop with several designs and at least one piece that is close to being completed! We will work with your design book and sketches. The list of potential materials includes sterling, titanium, copper, bronze, steel, paper, iron, wood, stone, bone, and found objects.

Charles' Instructor Page

 

August 8 - 14

Crash & Burn: Recycled Metal Art

Elli Groninger  (Basic welding experience necessary)  $445

Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $55

Bring new life to crashed and burned appliances and vehicles. Learn how a car hood becomes a human form or a dryer becomes a chameleon. Whimsical metal origami developed by Elli will be taught. Touchstone will supply the gases- please bring your guages, tips, and torches.
Elli's Instructor Page

August 15 - 21 

Mold-Making for the Artist

Dave Olson  All Levels  $420

Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $30

Learn to use plaster, polyurethane rubber, silicone, sand, and clay to create molds to cast and reproduce your own sculpture, ceramic, and jewelry projects. Students will use plaster, concrete, polyester resin, and various other materials to make casts of work you bring- or learn the techniques on items provided by the instructor.
Dave's Instructor Page

 

August 22 - 28

Woodworking Fundamentals

Dante DiIanni  Beginner/Intermediate $445

Even hobbyists can build heirloom furniture with well-tuned hand tools and a few basic power tools. This class is for anyone who has been frustrated by the handwork necessary for fine woodworking. In this class, you will learn to tune and sharpen your hand tools as well as safety and operation skills for the basic power tools necessary for most fine woodworking projects. The class is designed to get you up and running in the shortest time possible. This 5 day class will cover: Sharpening, tuning, and using: bench chisels, hand planes, spokeshave, marking knife, marking guage, dovetail saw, and card scraper. Power tools: band saw, table saw, jointer, thickness planer, router/router table. No prior experience necessary, however, quality hand tools are required. Speak to instructor before purchasing tools for use in class. Student discounts available at di legno woodshop supply.  

Dante's Instructor Page

September 10 - 12

Recycled Metal Art

Elli Groninger  (Basic welding experience necessary)  $225
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $27

This is a shorter version of the summer weeklong class. Bring new life to crashed and burned appliances and vehicles. Learn how a car hood becomes a human form or a dryer becomes a chameleon. Whimsical metal origami developed by Elli will be taught. Touchstone will supply the gases- please bring your guages, tips, and torches.
Elli's Instructor Page

 

September 17 - 19

Weekend of Joinery

Dante DiIanni  Beginner/Intermediate  $220

Complete Information is not yet available.
Dante's Instructor Page

September 24 - 26 
Welding Techniques for Metal Sculpture

Dave Olson  Beginner/Intermediate  $245

Learn to weld or hone your skills using oxy-acetylene torches, AC electric arc (stick), and MIG welding machines for making steel sculpture. Also included are the use of cutting torches, brazing, and silver soldering, and safe and proper use of small grinders and other tools. 
Dave's Instructor Page

 

October 1 - 3

Exploring Woodcarving

Thomas McCarty  All Levels  $210

Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $20

Spend an enjoyable week in the beautiful woods of Touchstone learning the art of woodcarving. Students will learn how to design, carve, and finish their unique pieces using traditional carving techniques and simple hand tools. Participants will carve several small projects including both in-the-round pieces and three-dimensional relief carving, such as a bird, wolf, or rabbit. No experience is necessary and carvers of all levels are welcome. Come and get in touch with nature and yourself through the creativity of woodcarving.
Minimum age requirement: 12 years old

Thomas' Instructor Page 

October 8 - 10

Metal Fabrication & Garden Sculpture

Martha Murphy & Rick Page  All Levels  $250

Enjoy creating a garden sculpture made from mostly recycled items. You will learn how to use the oxy-acetylene torch, plasma cutter, MIG welder, and brazing techniques. This class will cover tools, design, safety, and creativity! Hand tools and grinders will be available for students to use. Bring lots of recycled parts such as brass, copper, and steel along with items like washers, nuts, and bolts. Prepare to explore and get dirty!
Martha's Instructor Page

Rick's Instructor Page

 

October 8 - 10

Japanese Woodworking

Tadao Arimoto  Advanced  $275

Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $TBD

Complete Information is not yet available.

Tadao's Instructor Page 

 
 

WhitePicTeasel.pngTouchstone Center for Crafts ▪ 1049 Wharton Furnace RdFarmington, PA 15437 USA

724.329.1370800.721.0177724.329.1371 (fax)

 

 

This website was made possible through the 2009 Fayette County Tourism Grant Program and The Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau.