What's New?

While Rita took detailed minutes of the meeting last night, I just had a few.

There will be a survey coming to all pottery people, regarding your preferences for summer Open Studio hours, and several other studio interests.  Kuddos to Sarah for putting this together.

Excellent meeting.  All who were there contributed and some new and old ideas were tossed around.  Questions were asked and answered.   Loved having Ryanne and Zoe there part of the time.  Well, what do you expect when Zoe is less interested than Mom in people talking, and not cooing over her?  Cooing happened before and after, however.  We love you, Zoe!

I do remember talking about having more responsibility as students for cleaning up where we had been working.  One area to think about is the sink.  To keep excessive amounts of clay from going into the little collection jar under the sink, we should be washing our hands in the big blue barrel first before then doing final rinses in the sink.  I know I'd forgotten this routine lately, so I reminded myself and everyone else.   It's simple to put all that clay into the big blue barrel instead of into the trap.  All clay studios have a system to keep clay from going down the drain...or stopping it up.

More tips will be posted around the studio to keep us aware of the "best ways" of doing things.  It's just a matter of education really. 

Thanks to Rita, Gale and Sarah for taking care of the management end of things, so we can enjoy the artistic side.

Meeting reminder

Today at 6pm, meeting with Sarah Meyer...for current students

what about?

Summer news!!!

hope to see you there!

Teachers and "Community" studio

These are the faces you'll see most often at the Clay Studio of Black Mountain Center for the Arts.

Gwen Otinger, Geoff Bird, Annie Singletary, Will Byers, Maureen Joyce, and sutdio manager, Sarah Meyer.


As mentioned in yesterday's post, each of these teachers has studied at the college level and beyond and has taught pottery to a wide age-range of students throughout their careers. Each is qualified and trained to teach a wide-range of techniques. In addition to class session, Open Studio is a time for students to practice what they have learned in class. Although no instruction is offered during this time, an experienced potter or teacher is on hand to answer basic studio questions and procedures.


The weekly schedule is posted to the right on this blog. Look on yesterday's posting for more information, or come by the studio and check it out. This air conditioned studio right in the heart of Black Mountain is available for you and your friends for your creative pleasure!




Sarah Meyer will offer Paint on Pottery Samplers to folks who just want a one-day experience on Monday afternoons.


We are a "community studio"   Most students would express satisfaction about the positive experiences they have had here; working at a pace that's comfortable for themselves, creating something new weekly, learning and sharing with everyone in the studio, and making new friends.


PS, don't forget the studio meeting tomorrow, May 25 at 6 with Sarah Meyer, if you're a current student in our community!

Classes at Clay Studio

Take a Pottery Class – It’s Therapeutic! It’s Fun!


By Rita Vermillion


The Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio is announcing its first set of summer classes slated to begin next week on Monday, May 30. Sign up for a class and give yourself a summer vacation that’s fun and therapeutic without leaving town. A class consists of six 2-hour sessions on the wheel or with slab work with an experienced potter, 25 lbs. of clay, twelve to fifteen hours a week of Open Studio practice time, glazing instruction, and firings of the pots you make. The tuition plus lab fee is $170. More information and details can be found at BlackMountainArts.org, or by calling 828/669-0930.



All classes are set up as Basic Adult Wheel Classes. Within that concept students may work to as high a level as they and the teacher are willing to work together. Many students take a class over and over in order to continue learning about glazes, clay bodies, altered shapes, and more.



Teachers at the Studio who will offer classes this term are: Gwen Ottinger, Maureen Joyce, Annie Singletary, Will Byers, and Geoff Bird. In addition, Studio Manager Sarah Meyer will offer Paint on Pottery Samplers to folks who just want a one-day experience while they are in town.



The weekly schedule is posted to the right on this blog.

Each of these teachers has studied at the college level and beyond and has taught pottery to a wide age-range of students throughout their careers. While one may specialize in one aspect or another in their personal style such as porcelain clay or raku firing, each is qualified and trained to teach a wide-range of techniques. In addition to class session, Open Studio is a time for students to practice what they have learned in class. Although no instruction is offered during this time, an experienced potter or teacher is on hand to answer basic studio questions and procedures.



The Paint on Pottery Sampler will be offered on Mondays from 1:30-3:30 pm from June 13 through July 18, with no class on July 4. Pre-made pots, either mugs, bowls, or tumblers/vases, will be available for a participant to glaze during the first hour. The second hour will be devoted to learning basic skills with clay, including trying the pottery wheel. No object will be made to take away, but the glazed pre-made pieces will be fired and can be picked up at a later time. Each piece is $25, including glazing and firing. There is a minimum of four pieces for one person, or a minimum of two people in a session at $25 per person. Pre-registration is recommended.

Announcements from Administrator

We have several announcements to make, so please check all below:

1.The schedule for the first summer session is attached (see listing to right of this post) with classes beginning May 30. We would like to be able to offer all these classes, but that means we have to have students. Please check and see if there is a time when you can sign up!


2. POTTERY MEETING: Sarah has scheduled a meeting for current students and teachers on Wednesday, May 25 at 6 pm (during Open Studio). She will be discussing what’s happening in the studio, possibilities of pottery markets this summer, and more. Please try to attend, if possible.


3. THURSDAY OPEN STUDIO – is currently being held 1-4 pm, rather than 2-4.


4. RAKU – due to insufficient enrollment, the Raku class scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, has been POSTPONED. A new date will be announced soon.


Thanks,

Sarah, Rita and Gale

BMCA Staff

Clay Club meets at Clay Studio of BMCA

First picture of the group, half Clay Club, half BMCA Clay Stuio folks.

The group of folks who gathered, (not including James and a few late-comers, but Barbara wanted to get into this shot.)



Such a spread! Thanks to all those who contributed!

Erin Campbell, Gale Jackson and John Britt having a discussion over dinner. Don't ask Erin how to get people's attention for announcements!

John was the spokesperson for The Western North Carolina Clay Club, an open group of pottery people who gather monthly to eat and do something interesting. Or maybe they don't always eat, just gather to get out of their studios, mostly from Yancey and Mitchell Counties.

That blueberry cobbler was a real winner. Emily, Annie and Erin are watching John (behind camera.)



Annie and John had a discussion, about what they would demo perhaps?

John showed Sarah Ann, Sarah, and James and the other Sarah how he makes little chairs by cutting blocks of clay. (Video has been posted on Clay Club site). Anyone else named Sarah is welcome to join the group!


The Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio was thrilled that Clay Club had its May meeting here (May 11, 2011). A big thank you goes to John Britt, Emily Reason, and Annie Singletary who demo'd different clay techniques for us all.

Open Studio time added

Calendar update ...

A new Open Studio time to be on Thursdays, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Barbara Rogers is volunteering to monitor activities during this time.

Our new class schedule will be available here soon.

Pictures will be posted also from our recently well attended, fun and educational Clay Club Pot Luck held May 11.