Fun Events at BMCA Clay Studio

Mosaics Clay Class to Be Offered

Holly de Saillan will teach a class in Making Mosaics at the BMCA Clay Studio on four consecutive Mondays, April 12 - May 3 from 2-4 pm. Cost is $125, which includes clay, glazes & firing. In the class students will make their own tiles using a variety of techniques, then put together a sampler mosaic. A supply list will be provided before the class begins. Class size is limited, so early registration is recommended. For more information and to register, call the Black Mountain Center for the Arts at 828/669-0930. The Center is located at 225 W. State Street, and the Clay Studio is adjacent to the Center.

de Saillan is an experienced potter and teacher who lives in the Asheville area and also teaches ceramics and mosaics at Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts and around western NC. Her inspirations come from nature, contemporary folk art and (currently) artists Niki de St. Phalle, Antoni Gaudi, Raymonde Isadore, Joan Miro and Marc Chagall among many others. Clay and mosaic have been her mode of artistic expression for thirty years.

In her classes she believes it is important that every student feel successful. For her the work of art is about the love of creating. Imitative work is not her intent – she teaches techniques and ideas, not how to make a copy of her work.

About her work in clay, Holly writes, “My work is an echo of the world that surrounds me. I experience life through my various senses and allow my hands to form representations of that life from clay. Through this process of raw creation, I hope to connect others to the complexity and mystery of life and bring to all a sense of wonder.

“My work is very organic in form; clay, unlike many other mediums is not far removed from the earth in which it was created. Having such a close connection with the natural environment allows my work to be extremely dynamic and spontaneous. There are few constants in my ever-evolving work; color, shape and texture all seem to oscillate and surprise, which, to me, is the most fascinating aspect of creation.

“My most recent line of work stems from a long-lived affinity for beetles. Being such a diverse order of the animal kingdom, I became entirely enthralled with the variety of their body shapes and colorings. From this pet fancy blossomed an entire stage of work that has truly redefined my perspective of art. These pieces are not only art, but also, more simply, extensions of my being alive, here, on this earth. “
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BMCA Clay Studio Staff will be heading up a FREE tool making seminar
Wednesday, March 24th,
sessions start at
1 pm AND 6 pm.
Please join us to learn about, and make
some fun and useful clay tools!
Feel free to bring any ideas you may have to share ...

Thank You for your continued support~ Your Clay Studio Staff

New and Exciting opportunities at the Clay Studio.......

Check out the New Glazes...so many choices...


Tentative Dates and Upcoming Classes and Workshops at the Clay Studio – More information to follow soon:
Sat., March 20 & 27, 2-5 pm – Extruder and die-making workshop with Holly de Saillan
Mon., April 12 – May 3, 2-4 pm – Mosaics Class with Holly de Saillan
Sat.,April 24 & May 1, 2-5 pm – Glaze Workshop with Annie Singletary
Tues., May 4 – 25, or May 11-June 1, 6-8 pm – Garden Clay Art Class with Gwen Ottinger

Ongoing Hand Building Class Taught by Judi Ashe Wednesdays - 4-6 pm

Begins March 11th 4- or 8- week class

Open Studio times included

Fee: $90 for 4 weeks, or $180 for 8 weeks

Plus $35 lab fee covers clay, glazes & firing

Class size limited to 8 – Register today!

Clay Studio Events

Free Tool Making seminar Thursday March 2nd, 12 and 6 pm. The Clay Studio Staff is ready to share and make some great tools with you.

Folk Art Center featured artist - what a wonderful show!

"Art is a disease. There is no cure for it." -Charles Counts

AJ's got lots of tricks to share

Happy New Year from your Clay Studio Staff!

Looking forward to a great year of growing in Clay with you! We will starting off with a free event exchanging "Tricks of the Trade" with the clay studio community; We will share cleaver ideas, shortcuts, reminders and new and exciting ways to work with clay. Come and be ready to learn & share with the clay community and Clay Studio staff Tuesday, January 12th between 6-8 pm and Thursday, January 21st noon until 2pm. (Registration is not necessary)

We are also planning a FREE tool making seminar for February....more details to come.

NEW Glazes are in the testing process, soon to be available for your clay pleasure- please continue to be patient as testing is time consuming yet essential for an optimum outcome.

RAKU firings begining in March,,,this will be a once-a-month opportunity to test the Raku firing method with your bisque ware creation- we will provide the Raku Glazes and kiln for a fee, and while we are still ironing out the details thought you may want to keep the opportunity in mind!

NEW Seminars, Classes and Community Projects on the way - Keep in the "know" by checking out the Blog www.blackmountainartsclay.blogspot.com ,
or stopping by the studio ......

Happy New Year!!

"I would like my pots to be good not only now but in ten or a hundred or a thousand years and to be able to stand next to the good pottery of Greece, China, or Peru and have as timeless, distinct and independent a character as they have. To reach this point, even if only with a few pots, would be worth a whole life of intense effort." Marguerite Friedlaender-Wildenhain in The Invisable Core: A Potter's Life and Thoughts

Things are lookin up

The Plaster "Play Date" went well!

Raku Thursday

AJ's Clay Sampler Class

Check out these happy faces, AJ has done it again!

Raku Workshop is Firing things up!

The rain stopped and the kiln was roaring at last night's RAKU!

GETTING fired up this THURSDAY 4-6!

RAKU with BMCA Clay Studio this fall!!

Experience the excitement of

RAKU begining this fall at the BMCA Clay Studio!

Month long sessions provide one-on-one instruction and experimentation, RAKU clay and glaze materials, two RAKU glaze firings, and open studio time to work on your one of a kind creations. Class tuition of $140 includes four classes, open studio time, clay, glazes and three firing opportunities. To register or for more information, contact BMCA at 669-0930.

Sourwood Festival and Things to Come

thanks to all who pitched in and helped our Sourwood pottery market fundraiser to be successful! We were able to raise funds to improve our studio with new tools and necessary equipment.
Remember....t's not too early to start thinking about the Holly Jolly event in December!

New studio schedule coming out soon....until then please note that we are not open Saturday and Sunday at this time!

Seminars are under construction- any suggestions??

Are you interested in any of the following suggestions???

Altered forms

Raku

Holiday Casseroles

Glazing

Sculpture

hope your clay work is keeping you inspired and excited!!!!

Please enjoy the Bonus Open Studio Times we have made available to you for your

Clay Pleasure this week...

Tuesday August 4Th 10 am -8 pm
Wednesday August 5Th 12 pm - 3 pm and 6 pm - 8 pm

Thursday August 5Th 12 pm - 4 pm and 6pm - 8 pm

Friday 10 am - 4 pm and 6 pm - 8 pm

Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

Sunday 10 am - 4 pm

There will be multiple firings during this highly productive time, let's make the most of this opportunity!!

Please feel free to contribute to the Sourwood fund raising event by donating ice for the cooling of the bottled water for sale to benefit the fundraiser, tissue paper and bags for the wrapping of the purchased goods, and your efforts in spreading the word to friends, family etc. Tomorrow a e-invite will be sent for you to pass on to everyone and remember-fliers are available in the studio to pass around as well!

For those who will be selling their work: Please labels each piece with price tag (available in studio) prior to Saturday AND inventory and label pieces accordingly for your records. (example $15 mug #1, $20 bowl #2, $15 plate #3 etc) For more direction suggestions on pricing and inventory see AJ or Maureen.

Thank you for your involvement in the Clay Studio!

Hope to see you soon,

The Clay studio Staff

BMCA Clay Studio is fired up for the upcoming Sourwood festival!! Please take advantage of the

extended studio hours and kiln firings this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to get your work

ready and priced for the sale on Saturday the 8th of August and Sunday the 9th. During the sale

on Saturday (9-5) and Sunday 910-4) you are invited to enjoy some BONUS clay time and to assist

in the promotion of the Clay studio.

Look forward to seeing you soon,

The BMCA Clay Studio Staff

Looks like all the hard work for the Pottery Market this past weekend really attracted some attention from the public!

We will be doing the math sometime early this week, but early indications are that the sales were over $1000 dollars!

In addition to the funds we were able to raise, I believe our goal to reach out to the community and show them the possibilities of our Clay studio participants was achieved as well.

Thank You for making this event possible- I hope you enjoyed the feedback from the customers, friendship of your fellow workers and experience of a pottery market !

Please remove all work from Black Mountain Center for the Arts by Monday evening as class resume Tuesday Morning.
Sorry for the late notice.
Please come pick it up there.

Many Thanks,

The Clay Studio Staff

Please visit this weekends
BMCA CLAY STUDIO POTTERY MARKET FUNDRAISER
Friday 10-4 Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12-5
near rear entrance of the Black Mountain Center for the arts

Cups, Planters, Vases, Plates and more! All for Sale to Benefit the Improvement of the Clay Studio.

Clay Studio Fundraiser in conjunction with the BMCA Art In Bloom

Thank You!

PIT FIRE CLASS !!!!!

Coming to the BMCA Clay Studio an alternative firing course focusing on the ancient art of the Pit Fire.

Come and explore this exciting firing process!

Together, we will take your clay creations, bury them deep inside a fire pit full of several layers of organic debris, sawdust, dog food and carefully placed chemicals, and watch as a 10-hour old fire turns your clay into a work of art!

Instructor: AJ Reisman

Time: Tuesdays 4-6 pm (3 weeks) 2 Tuesdays at the BMCA Clay Studio &

1 Tuesday Pit Fire on top of the mountain!

Dates: June 16, 23, 30

Cost: $90

SUMMERTIME OPTIONS AT THE CLAY STUDIO

One Week Summer Sampler(2 Wet Clay Days + 1 Open Studio + 1 Glaze Day)

$75 adult / $60 child under 13

Perfect time for a one-week experience with clay!

Our Resident Potters will work with you one on one to help make your artistic vision become a reality.

Come at the beginning of your week to work with wet clay, practice your skills during one of our Open Studio times, and then return on Friday to glaze your masterpiece!

Kids and Families welcome! (Under 13 must have adult along)

All materials included!

Call to make an appointment today!

Two Day Summer Sampler(1 Wet Clay Day + 1 Glaze Day)

$50 adult / $40 child under 13

Ready for a mini taste of pottery?

Register for this sneak peak into the world of working with clay. Come in the beginning of the week to work with wet clay, and come back on Friday to glaze your creation! All materials included!Call to schedule your class today!

(Under 13 must have adult along)

Family Clay Time(4 Scheduled Classes)

$100 for child & parent / $75 for additional child

Just like playing in the mud!

Our Resident Potters will work with your family in creating your very own clay masterpieces! Schedule 4 classes at your convenience and watch your kids sculpt, hand-build and throw on the potter’s wheel!

(Under 13 must have adult along) All materials included!

Paint Your Own Pottery

Call ahead to schedule a date for this special experience.

Perfect for family gatherings, birthday parties and large groups.

Our Resident Potters will take your artistic order, whether it be bowls, mugs, cups, vases, sculptures or other creations; we will have it ready for you to carve, texture, paint and glaze all in one class session!

Come back later in the week to pick up your piece or we can arrange to ship it home to you! Prices range from $15 to $50 per piece.

COME BY THE STUDIO OR CALL TO SIGN UP!

828 – 669 - 0930

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS........ONE OF OUR OWN VISTING ARTISTS

Read about Ursula Goebels-Ellis

New Post: Circular Logic: Using Balloons as Molds for Spherical Handbuilt Ceramic Sculpture
By Ceramic Arts Daily

If you’ve ever wanted to build a round ceramic sculpture, but working on the potter’s wheel is not your cup of tea, the technique presented in today’s post might be the answer. In it, Ursula Goebels-Ellis explains how she uses balloons to create her spherical sculptures...
Continue Reading...

****Don't forget to let us know what classes you are interested in having

What would like to see come to the Black Mountain Arts Clay Studio????

News from the Studio

1) Our handbuilding class with visiting artist: Cassie Ryalls had to be postponed

We really hope to bring it back into the schedule soon, as she would be an amazing asset to

our community and knowledge.

*If you were at all thinking about taking this and just couldn't do it this time, please let AJ know so that we can get it going again.

2)AJ Garden art sampler class this Saturday, May 9

*This is a great oppurtunity to enjoy our clay community and also learn new things.

3) We are here to accomodate you and your interests in clay, we need your help to know how we do that better, please let us know what interests you have:

What subjects would you like classes on?

What short term workshops are you interested in?

Please leave a comment on this post or let AJ know.

Thanks so much.

Handbuilding and Low Fire Surface Class

with Visiting Artist Cassie Ryalls

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio will offer a 6-week workshop on Hand

Building and Sculpture, taught by Cassie Ryalls, on Tuesdays, 6-8 pm, from May 5 – June 9

Cost of the workshop is $185. Materials are included in the cost.

To register or for more information, contact the Center at 828/669-0930.

Ryalls’ focus on hand building and sculpture is clearly seen in her own work. In assisting clay students in this workshop she will be encouraging creativity with the sculpture, and helping them experiment with the surface of hand built objects from beginning to end. The class will use low-fire clay and glazes.

Cassie Ryalls graduated from Berea College in Kentucky, but grew up in West Virginia. As an art and psychology major, she found the influence of nature was through the human form – a foot, shoulder, lip, etc. Cassie writes, “As I [hand] build each piece, working coil on top of coil, the process reminds me that each person is made up of many different layers. The human forms are minimal and simplified to draw more attention to the way they interact with the other forms. Texture and metal additions are used to communicate the relationships amongst the figures. The human forms are minimal and simplified to draw more attention to the way they interact with the other forms.”
She continues, “To recognize a human form is simple. To understand another human is not. Our lives are built around forming relationships with other humans. My body of work is my interpretation of these connections as well as portrayals of different situations that lead us to a greater understanding of our fellow humans.

Call the Black Mountain Center today to sign up!!!!!! 669-0930

Donate Bowls for a good cause

Sara Anne Ellers is asking for soup bowls to be donated by this Friday for "Soup for the Soul" charity benefit...please bring your contributions in for this Friday pick up.

We realize this is short notice,

but don't you have bowls you've made just sitting around needing purpose?

Thank you.

BMCA CLAY STUDIO

What's Happening @ BMCA CLAY STUDIO

Special Seminars

Teapots
Come and learn the intricate methods
of building a teapot. thought of as
one of pottery’s most complex forms,
together, we will build teapots that
are fit for your home.

Instructor: AJ Reisman
March, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28
5 Tuesdays 6-8 PM
Cost: $150

Hand Building and Sculpture
Learn to get creative with your surface!
In this class we will experiment with the
surface of your hand built clay objects
from the beginning stages of your
creations to the end. Students will be
using low-fire clay and glazes.

Instructor: Cassie Ryalls
May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2, 9
6 Tuesdays 6-8 pm
Cost: $185

Raku
This historic way of playing with fire is
experience you can’t miss! We will
walk through each step of the process,
from the wielding of clay into your own
pot, and then into the actual firing.

Instructor: Geoff Byrd
June 5, 12, 19, 26
4 Fridays 6-8 pm
Cost: $150

One Day Demo Workshops

Revealing the Mystery of Slab Work
Together we will study how to manipulate a 1-d slab of clay into a 3-d work of art. Come with a vision of a hand built creation, and together we will make it a reality
Saturday 3/14 1-5 pm - $50
Instructor: AJ Reisman

Revealing the Mystery of Glazing
Learn special techniques to make your glazing experience less stressful.
Saturday 4/11 1-5 pm - $50
Instructor: Annie Singletary

Revealing the Mystery of Garden Art
Ready for the Summer planting season? Come & learn step by step how to create your ver own planter, flower pots, and everything else needed to have your flowers, herbs & produce grow in your very own work of art!
Saturday 5/9 1-5 pm - $50
Instructor: AJ Reisman

Revealing the Mystery of Altered Forms
Learn how to create a thrown form that has some excitement and life by cutting away clay, pushing, manipulating, and adding clay.
Saturday 6/13 1-5 pm - $50
Instructor: Annie Singletary

Also Happening........

**Ongoing weekly classes, community membership and 1 week sample class**

**Classes for Kids Clay Time and Paint on Pottery Parties are available**

Call Black Mountain Center for the Arts
(828)669-0930
to Sign up Today

Raku firing process

Geoff Byrd will be teaching a class on Raku firing in March along with Maureen and Wendy as assistants.
Here's a taste of what it's like.
It's quite addicting. Give it a try to enhance your clay work even further.
Leave a comment a the end of this post if you are interested. This will be a great oppurtunity.