Photo by Alex Byers
2023 Nature Week: July 31 - August 4
This week of programming focuses on the beauty of the Touchstone landscape with workshops in Blacksmithing, Ceramics, Drawing/Painting, Metals/Jewelry, and Special Topics.
Environmental Educators from Powdermill Nature Reserve will be on-hand to deepen your understanding and exploration of the environment surrounding Touchstone. Be inspired by nature and use natural materials in these immersive nature-themed workshops. This is a special opportunity to get tuned in to the nature that surrounds you!
Workshops are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Many fill quickly and have wait lists months in advance – don’t wait to register! Registrations for onsite workshops should be made no later than 15 days ahead of the workshop start date so that we can count you when making workshop determinations, ordering materials, etc. Touchstone’s onsite workshop determinations are made 14 days in advance of their scheduled start dates, primarily based on the number of participants registered at that time.
A processing fee of $25 will be added to 1-5 day onsite workshops.
All workshop participants must be 18 years or older except where indicated.
To view a full listing of the Terms and Conditions as part of your enrollment, download the 2023 Participant Guide.
Please review our updated Health & Safety Guidelines* and Cancellation Policy* prior to registering for any workshop.
*Subject to change, check back for up-to-date information. Registered participants will be notified of any changes.
BLACKSMITHING
JULY 31-AUG 4 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI) | NATURE WEEK
Forged, Found, & Feral
Instructor: Anne Bujold
All Levels
$665 Member | $695 Non-Member
$90-$140 Materials and Studio Fees
Incorporate basic blacksmithing and welding techniques with assembled found objects to create sculptures of creatures, real or imagined! Let your imagination run wild as we explore form, process, and the expressive potential of materials. We will incorporate sheet metal to create volume and linear elements to build structure, giving you an array of possibilities for constructing your sculpture. We will also consider cold connection methods, surface treatments, and design in this action-packed class.
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CERAMICS
JULY 31-AUG 4 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI) | NATURE WEEK
Thrown & Altered Pouring Vessels
Instructor: Taylor Sijan
Intermediate Level
$665 Member | $695 Non-Member
$100-$150 Materials and Studio Fees
In this workshop, Taylor will demonstrate how she combines a variety of thrown, altered, and slab-built components to create pouring vessels. Participants should arrive comfortable with the basics of throwing cylinders, bowls, and trimming. They will learn how to make bisque molds, dart and manipulate wheel-thrown pieces, construct slab-built spouts using paper templates, pull and pinch handles, and how to combine a variety of different parts into a functional pouring vessel.
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DRAWING & PAINTING
JULY 31-AUG 4 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI) | NATURE WEEK
Botanicals and Birds
Instructor: Kelly Leahy Radding
Intermediate Level
$665 Member | $695 Non-Member
$45-$95 Materials and Studio Fees
Birds depicted with botanical subjects enjoy a long historical tradition, from the works of Mark Catesby in the mid-1700s through John James Audubon in the 1800s to contemporary works of art. Compositions that include birds tell a broader story of the life of a plant and add a lively element to energize a painting. In this workshop, we will explore the relationship between birds, plants, and habitats. We will learn techniques for including them in a botanical painting or drawing, including determining the correct proportions, how to find and draw the ‘perfect’ gesture, and how to create a dynamic composition.
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METALS & JEWELRY
JULY 31-AUG 4 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI) | NATURE WEEK
Hinges and Joints: Standard, Invisible, & Universal
Instructor: Tom Muir
Intermediate Level
$665 Member | $695 Non-Member
$125 Materials and Studio Fees
This hands-on workshop will focus on three types of hinges: an integral hinge (aka invisible or hidden hinge), a standard three- to five-knuckle hinge, and a universal joint hinge. Through technical demonstrations, discussions, and an examination of various samples, we will place special emphasis and creative solutions for a variety of design problems. Engineering principles of hinges will be discussed, along with useful soldering and fabrication strategies which can be applied to numerous procedures for any jeweler or metalsmith. Basic sawing, filing and soldering skills are necessary for this workshop.
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SPECIAL TOPICS
JULY 31-AUG 4 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI) | NATURE WEEK
Weaving a Handbag Basket
Instructor: April Stone
All Levels
$665 Member | $695 Non-Member
$140-$190 Materials and Studio Fees
Working with locally harvested and hand processed Black Ash from the forests of northern Wisconsin, participants will develop a deeper understanding of what it takes to free-form weave their own Black Ash basket. Starting with cutting and scraping, participants will begin the process of laying out splint in a twill base. One-round weaving creates the sides of the basket, followed by the finishing of the sturdy rim system. Although a complete basket at this point, the final step concludes with a thoughtfully placed and wrapped splint handle. Measuring approximately 14”x4”x11” (17” at top of handle) when complete and designed to carry a load of up to 10#, each basket will be made slightly different than the next. Some hand strength is needed, and knife skills are a plus.
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Touchstone Center for Crafts prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or association preference. Touchstone Center for Crafts also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to its facilities and programming.