Charles working

A thrown cylinder which has been altered (no longer round shape) is getting a bottom made from a slab.

With the feet applied, final details were added...then it was allowed to dry before being bisque fired.

Trimming tutorial, and closed on Fri Feb. 14, 2013

Roads not considered safe for driving potters, so studio won't be open on Fri.  Maybe Sat?

Charles speaks

To all BMCA clay studio students from our Studio Manager...

Happy New Year!  Due to the cold we have had some closures and to postpone some class starts.  Geoff's class is unaffected by the weather and should resume 1-9-14.  Please keep up with your class time and re-up for another 6 weeks in a timely manner to continue the Geoff experience.  Mathilda's and my class resume the 13th and 14th.  Annie has cancelled her class until the next session.  Classes remain $185 for the new year and are for a six week period.  Independent study is now a monthly fee of $80.  If you missed the first week of our opening in the new year, a pro-rated fee of $60 will get you going for the remainder of Jan.  Please remember open studio times are open to all who are currently paid for the month of January as independent studies or as signed students in classes.

Studio work

One of Charles Freeland's frequent jobs at the studio is to load the kilns.  Our 2 Skutt electric kilns are going frequently during our regular studio schedule.  Charles (Studio Manager) is fortunately on a break for the holidays, as well as our classes, but we'll all be back early in Jan,  starting a new year with new ideas.

Merry Christmas

Happy holidays from some of our pottery students and teachers.

Charles Freeland, studio manager, is surrounded by happy potters, Pat, Lynda, Kathleen, Mathilda, (also a teacher), Gail, and Barbara G.  Pitcher on table was made by Charles.

Gallery Exhibit - Charles Freeland

Stacking Bowls, Charles Freeland

Charles Freeland

Charles Freeland is our studio manager, as well as teacher of several levels of classes.  He works with folks who are absolute beginners, and he works with folks who say, "can I make this out of clay?"  And he usually helps them do it on their own, with his advice.


His bio from the Clay Studio says:

 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.

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.