Kline and Philbeck Workshop. Cape Cod.

I wanted to mention that Michael Kline and I are giving a two day workshop on Cape Cod, Mass. in March.  We are really looking forward to teaming up for this workshop.  We both have a great deal to offer and I think we are going to have a great time.  (Michael has suggested sawing me in half as the big finale but we haven't worked out the all important details on that yet) (Like making sure I get put back together).

For information you can visit the Cape Cod Potters site HERE or go directly to the Registration Form HERE.  The dates are March 17th and 18th, 2012.

We are also planning a stop and hopefully impromptu gathering at Liberty Town in  Fredericksburg, VA. on the way up to the Cape.  We have not finalized the date and time yet but will keep you posted.

 

We hope to see you in March.

Salt Glaze Weekend

The Salt Firing weekend workshop went very well.  Four participants were here to glaze and wad pots on Saturday and then we loaded up the kiln.  It's the first firing in over a year and a half.

I lit the burners late Saturday night and got up a few times through the night to increase the gas.  By 2 pm Sunday we were ready to start salting.

We put in a total of 12 lbs of salt.  The kiln fired off without a hitch, following the same protocol as I did when I fired it on a regular basis.  It's good to know that it's still in good working order and that I haven't totally forgotten what to do. ( I do have over a decade of detailed kiln logs to help if necessary!)

Everyone agreed that they could meet up here on Friday for the unloading.  I can't wait to see what all the different pots look like.  We had stoneware and porcelain in this firing, some slipped pots, some glazed and some bare clay.  I had 20 cups go in, the rest of the load is what the workshop participants made.

It was fun for me to have folks here and to share what I know. I think they all learned a lot and were happy to have this experience.  Hopefully we'll all have some nice pots come out of the kiln later this week.  That will be the icing on the cake.

 

Doug Fitch and Hannah McAndrew Workshop

Many of you know Doug and Hannah from their blogs.  I met them both here on the internet some 5 or so years ago.

I'm happy to announce that they will both be coming to the US in April, 2011!!!

Jugs made by Hannah McAndrew

I have planned a one day demonstration workshop for them here in Shelby, NC.

The date is April 23rd, 2011.  The workshop will be held at the Cleveland County Arts Council in historic downtown Shelby.

If you are interested in receiving information on this workshop please send an email to

ronpots2 <at> yahoo <dot> com

with Workshop in the Subject line.  As soon as I get my registration forms together I will send them out to you.  (Hopefully in the next week or so).

Jug by Doug Fitch

Cost will $85 per person for the workshop.




This is a great chance to meet Hannah and Doug and see them make and decorate their pots right in front of your eyes.  It should be a really fun day.  I can't wait for them to get here!!

If you'd like to learn more about Doug Fitch visit these sites:

HERE

or HERE

For more on Hannah:

Click HERE for website or HERE for Hannah's blog

or HERE for her online Store.

Let me know if you belong to a guild or group of potters who would like to receive information on this workshop.  Tell your potter friends too.  Thanks!!!

Back from the Workshop

I had an absolutely fantastic time giving a weekend workshop for The Potter's Exchange group in Freemansburg, PA.

I demo'ed making my work from start throughout the drawing stage and we also did some idea generation/creativity exercises together.  I really enjoyed meeting all the participants.  Everyone took part in the exercises and shared, it was such a good group to be with for two days.

Pots drying in the sun.

Powdered doughnut display exercise.

Drawing on Tiles exercise.

This group is an excellent model of how we as potters/ceramic artists can get together to share ideas, learn from one another and host events. I want to share their 'mission statement' here:

"The Potter's Exchange" is a group of clay artists who meet on a regular basis to share clay related information, ideas, and experiences in the Lehigh Valley eastern PA.
We believe that each individual whether just starting out or professional has something unique to offer to the group. Therefore, we take turns being both teachers and students, and we are mutually supportive of one another. We also take turns hosting and organizing events which vary and focus on different aspects of clay making from outdoor pit and raku firings to glaze theory seminars and museum tours. In addition, we are able to cut costs for the individual potter by bulk ordering glaze materials, clay, books and tools.
Further, we seek to benefit from meeting with guest artists and by hosting workshops in the ceramic arts.

I'll share some more images and thoughts later, for now it's time to settle in to being home and get some clothes washed.  Thanks again to The Potter's Exchange for having me as their guest this past weekend.