Winter/Spring Classes

BMCA CLAY STUDIO

Discover your connection with clay! We will take you step-by-step through all aspects of either hand-building/sculptural work or wheel throwing. Both avenues will also include the firing & glazing process. Your clay class registration allows you to come for all Open Studio sessions to practice or work on your current projects. Class sizes are limited. Register with Rita in the BMCA office (Main Building).

The 6-week sessions are $135 (for tuition & Open Studio) + lab fee of $50 (for clay, glazes, firing).

IF you are already an experienced potter, you may inquire about the application process to be in our Independent Study program, a non-production option/$115 for six weeks; clay extra.

WINTER/SPRING 2013 CLAY STUDIO SCHEDULE

Classes are scheduled January 5  – February 14, and February 23 - April 4

Six-Week Classes ( Some classes have min/max enrollment requirements and registration deadline )

Monday   

         1 - 4 pm                        • Open Studio •                                       Pat Levi

                 6 - 8 pm                         Adult Clay Class*                           Cathy Babula 

* This class can be moved to an earlier time slot if all students agree.

Tuesday 

       10 am - noon               Adult Clay Class                           Charles Freeland

       12 – 4 pm                   • Open Studio •                           Charles Freeland

        

Wednesday

       6 - 9 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Charles Freeland

Thursday

       10 am – noon            Adult Clay Class                            Annie Singletary

       1 – 4 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Barbara Rogers

       4 - 6 pm                 Ongoing Clay Class               Geoff Bird

        (this class continues on rolling enrollment  basis; check with BMCA office)

       6 – 8 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Charles Freeland

 

Friday

        2 – 4 pm                   • Open Studio •                              Sarah Vekasi

Saturday       

10 – 12 pm   ABSOLUTE BEGINNER CLASS        Charles Freeland

12 –  3  pm                  • Open Studio •                               Blair McKee

                                                                                                                  

  Sunday

         3 –5 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Blair McKee

                                                                                            

Tuition: $135 + $50 Lab Fee for 25 lbs. clay, glazes and firing.  Special Classes Tuition may vary.

• BlackMountainArts.org • 828/669-0930 •   

                                                                                                                    225 W. State Street

Black Mountain, NC 28711

12.4.12

CLAY EXHIBIT in gallery of BMCA

Black Mountain Center for the Arts 

Opens Annual 

BMCA Clay Studio Exhibit December 7, 2012

By Rita Vermillion

Annie Singletary boxes

Since its opening in 2007, the Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio, housed in a recycled city garage adjacent to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts at 225 W. State Street, has presented an annual Studio’s Teachers and Students Exhibit, along with a Holiday Market open for shopping. The theme for the 2012-13 Exhibit is “All Things T,” from functional and ceremonial tea-related items to the whimsical. The Exhibit and Market will open with a reception on Friday, December 7 from 6-8 pm.  The Exhibit will continue through January 18, 2013.  The Market will close on December 21.  For more information visit www.blackmountainarts.org, or 828/669-0930.

Professional potters teaching in the Clay Studio currently are Charles Freeland of Charles Freeland Pottery, Geoff Bird of Morning Sky Pottery, Cathy Babula, and Annie Singletary of Annie Singletary Ceramics.  In addition, Maureen Joyce and Elise Reed have also taught classes this year and will be included in exhibit.

Charles Freeland is a graduate of Austin College and the University of North Texas.  He holds an MFA in ceramics with a minor in painting and drawing.  Charles has taught at a number of different programs from Texas to Illinois, where he taught for Bradley University, Lakeland Community College and Eastern Illinois University in a variety of areas from ceramics to multicultural aesthetics. His pottery can be found online at charlesfreelandpottery.com. He is the Studio Manager for the BMCA Clay Studio.

Geoff Bird is the senior member of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio potters by virtue of his teaching at the Center since 2000 and is 40+ years experience working in the ceramic arts.  His beautiful pottery has brought recognition for him throughout the southeast.  Geoff studied at various schools and studios in North Carolina when pottery was experiencing a renaissance in the 1960s. He owns Morning Sky Pottery with a studio in eastern Buncombe County and a retail shop on Cherry Street in downtown.

Annie Singletary graduated from the University of NC at Asheville, followed by a 2-year Residency at Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts.  She and her husband are involved with Camps Merri-Mac and Timberlake, where Annie’s role has been that of equestrian program supervisor. Her love for nature and her outdoor lifestyle keep her highly motivated in her work in clay. Her pottery is functional, made from porcelain or white stoneware and a variety of glazes. She compares the forms and patterns in her pottery to those in both nature and textiles. See more of her work at anniesingletary.com.

Cathy Babula’s love of pottery began in high school where she focused primarily on hand built work. Bypassing her secret dream of becoming a potter, she pursued a degree in horticulture from SUNY instead. After a career as a corporate trainer, she enrolled in pottery classes at the BMCA Clay Studio concentrating on wheel throwing and rekindled her dream of being a professional potter. She then entered the Professional Crafts - Clay program at Haywood Community College in 2010, graduating with an Associate’s Degree in May of 2012.  Since plants and nature motifs are prevalent in her decorating, Babula has come full circle by merging her original interests of pottery and horticulture.

Elise Reed is a graduate of Salisbury University in Maryland, and has studied weaving and metal smithing at Penland School of Crafts, as well as pottery with Geoff Bird at the BMCA Clay Studio.  She completed the teacher certification program in art education at UNC-Asheville, and currently teaches in the Buncombe County Schools. 

Maureen Joyce, who studied Fine Art at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, has been involved in various mediums of art during her career.  She took classes at the BMCA Clay Studio, opened a studio in her home, offered a variety of classes to adults and children at BMCA, and continued her education at a community college when she moved to Pennsylvania. She teaches a weeklong Clay Camp for Adults at the BMCA Clay Studio in the summers.  Joyce specializes in face vases and raku.

The Asheville Rhythm Section, featuring vocalist Hope Griffin, along with Josh Kinser, Eric Merchant and Elie Herzog will provide music for the Opening Reception.  They will be playing on the Main Floor Stage. 

 

One time change

The fall schedule is all confirmed, (see last post here) with one time change. 

Annie Singletary's class on Thursdays will meet from 10-12, starting Nov. 1.

We're excited to have Annie return to teaching a class at BMCA's Clay Studio.  It's been a while, and we're eager to have her back in the studio.

Annie Singletary holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North
Carolina at Asheville, and completed a residency at the Odyssey Center for the Ceramic
Arts. She lives in Black Mountain with her husband and two sons. She and her husband are
involved with Camps Merri-Mac and Timberlake, with Annie’s role being that of equestrian
program supervisor. Her love for nature and her outdoor lifestyle keep her highly motivated
in her work in clay. Her pottery is functional, made from porcelain and a variety of glazes.
She compares the forms and patterns in her pottery to those in both nature and textiles.

New class added Thursdays as of Nov 1

BMCA CLAY STUDIO SCHEDULE

Discover your connection with clay! We will take you step-by-step through all aspects of either hand-building/sculptural work or wheel-throwing. Both avenues will also include the firing & glazing process. Your clay class registration allows you to come for all Open Studio sessions to practice or work on your current projects. Class sizes are limited. Register with Rita in the BMCA office (Main Building).

The 6-week sessions are $135 (for tuition & Open Studio) + lab fee of $35 (for clay, glazes, firing).

IF you are already an experienced potter, you may inquire about the application process to be in our Independent Study program, a non-production option/$100 for six weeks; clay extra.

FALL 2012 CLAY STUDIO SCHEDULE

Classes are scheduled September 8  – October 19, and October 27  - December 14

Six-Week Classes ( Some classes have min/max enrollment requirements and registration deadline )

Monday   

         1 - 4 pm                        • Open Studio •                                       Pat Levi

          6 - 8 pm                       Adult Clay Class                   Cathy Babula  

Tuesday 

       10 am - noon               Adult Clay Class                  Charles Freeland

       12 – 4 pm                   • Open Studio •                           Charles Freeland

        

Wednesday

       6 - 9 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Charles Freeland

Thursday

       11am – 1 pm            Adult Clay Class                            Annie Singletary

       1 – 4 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Barbara Rogers

       4 - 6 pm                 Ongoing Clay Class               Geoff Bird

                        (this class continues on rolling basis; check with BMCA office)

       6 – 8 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Charles Freeland

Friday

        2 – 4 pm                   • Open Studio •                      Barbara Rogers

Saturday       

10 – 12 pm   ABSOLUTE BEGINNER CLASS     Charles Freeland

12 –  3pm           • Open Studio •                          Blair McKee

                                                                                                                   

  Sunday

         3 –5 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Blair McKee

                                                                                            

Tuition: $135 + $35 Lab Fee for 25 lbs. clay, glazes and firing.  Special Classes Tuition may vary.

• BlackMountainArts.org •

 828/669-0930 •             225 W. State Street

Black Mountain, NC 28711

10.12.12

Clay club visit postponed

With all the potters shows going on this time of year, the Clay Club visit to BMCA clay studio has been postponed.  We really were wanting students of clay and potters who do this for a living to get in the same room together.

Charles Freeland and John Britt will let you know when the new date is set for our hosting the Clay Club.

Look for information on the board in the studio, or here on the Clay Studio blog of BMCA.

Don't miss the Spruce-Pine Potters Market on the 13th and 14th.
Don't miss our own Fred Feldman as a studio potter/wood worker, on the East of Asheville Studio Tour also the 13th and 14th.
The list goes on...just look for events around Western North Carolina in October and you will have to pick and choose.

Run for Art held last weekend

Prizes for the Run For Your Arts 5k fundraiser for BMCA, held Saturday September 29, were handcrafted by the Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio and Charles Freeland, including clay medallions for all of the participants designed by Mathilda Tanner.

The BMCA logo was added to Charles’s plates and chalice by Annie Singletary.  

Overall winner Daniel Pride won the chalice and a gift certificate to The Merry Wine Market.  

Top female winner Melissa Wardwell and male winner Skeet Burtoe each won a plate and a gift certificate to Pisgah Brewery.  

Thanks to the potters who helped make these very unusual awards, which greatly contributed to the success of the first run.

Clay Studio to host Clay Club

October 10, 6:30-8:30 pm
Wednesday evening

Please join Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio in welcoming a Clay Club evening.  Everyone is welcome!!!

This is a pot luck, so please bring some food and beverages.  We can also use some paper goods (sign up in studio so we don't get duplicates!)

Demonstrations will follow our getting to know each other and eating.  Charles Freeland has offered to show his canister making process.  If you'd like to demonstrate a technique in clay, please let Charles know.

The Western North Carolina Clay Club is made up of potters who gather to connect with other potters.  They usually meet the 2nd Wed. of the month.  More information about Clay Club can be obtained by checking out their blog at NC CLAY CLUB


BMCA Clay Studio is a teaching studio, as you can see by exploring more of this blog.  Our students enjoy working in our comfortable studio daily in classes or open studios.  We especially like being a community of people interested in clay.

BMCA Clay Studio class schedule and info

Fall Press Release:         

BMCA CLAY STUDIO

Discover your connection with clay! We will take you step-by-step through all aspects of either hand-building/sculptural work or wheel-throwing. Both avenues will also include the firing & glazing process. Your clay class registration allows you to come for all Open Studio sessions to practice or work on your current projects. Class sizes are limited. Register with Rita in the BMCA office (Main Building). 

The 6-week sessions are $135 (for tuition & Open Studio) + lab fee of $35 (for clay, glazes, firing).

IF you are already an experienced potter, you may inquire about the application process to be in our Independent Study program, a non-production option/$100 for six weeks; clay extra.

FALL 2012 CLAY STUDIO SCHEDULE

Classes are scheduled September 8  – October 19, and October 27  - December 14

Six-Week Classes ( Some classes have min/max enrollment requirements and registration deadline ) 

Monday      

• 1 - 4 pm    Open Studio    -      Pat Levi 

•           6 - 8 pm     Adult Wheel Class  - Cathy Babula  

Tuesday 

       10 am - noon               Adult Wheel Class                        Charles Freeland

       12 – 4 pm                   • Open Studio •                           Charles Freeland

                           

Wednesday

       6 - 9 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Charles Freeland

Thursday      

       1 – 4 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Barbara Rogers

       4 - 6 pm                 Ongoing Wheel Class            Geoff Bird

                        (this class begins on rolling basis; check with BMCA office)

       6 – 8 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Charles Freeland

Friday

        2 – 4 pm                   • Open Studio •                      Barbara Rogers

Saturday       

10 – 12 pm   ABSOLUTE BEGINNER CLASS     Charles Freeland

12 pm – TBA              • Open Studio •                          Blair McKee

                                                                                                                  

  Sunday

         3 –5 pm                 • Open Studio •                     Blair McKee

                                                                                            

Tuition: $135 + $35 Lab Fee for 25 lbs. clay, glazes and firing.  Special Classes Tuition may vary.

• BlackMountainArts.org • 828/669-0930 •   

225 W. State Street

Black Mountain, NC 28711

8.26.12

BMCA Clay Studio Fall Classes September - December (2012)

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio is offering two fall sessions of six-week classes beginning Saturday, September 8, and Saturday October 27.  The first session will end the week of October 19, and the second session will end December 14.  Classes for Adults are offered on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

For the true clay novice the class offered is Absolute Beginner Adult clay class.  It will meet for six weeks on Saturday mornings from 10 to noon, September 8 – October 13.  Students will be guided through all the steps of learning about the possibilities of clay, then hand building lessons and finally approaching the wheel.  At the end of the class, these students will be prepared to join another Adult Clay class with the basics learned.  Charles Freeland, BMCA Clay Studio Manager, will conduct this class for a minimum of three students and a maximum of ten.

For those wanting an evening class they can attend after work but be home before it’s late, local potter Cathy Babula teaches beginner-to-experienced students on Mondays from 6-8 pm, September 10 – October 15.  Other class times are available on Tuesdays from 10 to noon, September 11 – October 16, with Freeland teaching for experienced students, and an ongoing class on Thursdays from 4-6 pm with local potter Geoff Bird of Morning Sky Pottery teaching beginner to advanced students.  The classes with Babula and Freeland are date specific; Bird’s class can be joined at any time for six sessions. As in all Adult Clay classes, the tuition is $170 that includes 12 hours of lessons, lab fee for clay, glazes and firing, and a schedule of Open Studio practice times each week.

For experienced potters who are not looking for instruction or a production studio, another option is an Independent Study class.  Students are on their own, so must be approved by the Studio Manager.  Their tuition of $100 covers six weeks of studio time during Open Studio hours, plus glazing and firing.  Clay is an additional cost.

Freeland and other teachers offer private lessons at $25 per hour, with no Open Studio time available.

Babula, Bird, and Freeland are all well-trained, experienced potters whose classes cover all aspects of working with clay, including both hand-building and wheel-throwing, glazing and firing.

To register or for more information, come by the Center, located at 225 W. State Street, or call 828/669-0930.  The BMCA Clay Studio is located adjacent to the Center at the Dougherty St. parking lot.