Clay Surface and Form: An Exploration of Relationships

July 19 - July 23, 2024

Clay Surface and Form: An Exploration of Relationships

$855.00

This workshop is an exploration of surface and form. Throughout our time together we will explore a variety of surfaces that can be done on the clay at different stages of working so that you can find your voice as a maker or discover new techniques to take your work in new directions. Some of the surfaces we will investigate are: water-etching, creating patterns/imagery with resist, slip and glaze. We will also investigate a variety of functional pottery forms (cups, plates, pitchers, etc.) to understand the relationship of surface and form. Together, we will also tackle how to master cut-out pottery. To take full advantage of everything covered in this workshop, an intermediate to advanced throwing/trimming/hand building skill-set is preferred. Melissa will discuss some throwing techniques, however the focus will be more on the surfaces and/or cutting the clay. Hand builders are more than welcome to take part however no handbuilding techniques will be demonstrated.

Workshops run from 9:00am to 5:00pm each day
Lunch is included for all participants

Level: Intermediate

Type: Ceramics

Ages: Adult

Materials List

You will need to bring the following materials/supplies to the workshop:

Tools that you normally use to make your work (throwing tools, sponges, trimming tools, a clay rasp if you normally use one for your work)
Sketchbook
Pair of scissors
X-acto knife
Small variety of brushes to apply underglaze and wax with
Sports bottle for drinking water

Note: The first bag of clay is included in the materials fee; more can be purchased at the studio if needed

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Melissa Mencini basket with strawberries

Melissa Mencini birds and bees plate stack

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Melissa Mencini

Melissa Mencini received her MFA from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 2003 and her BFA from Bowling Green State University in 2000. In 2013, Melissa moved to Austin Texas to be a full-time studio artist and educator. Previous to her move south, she was living in Anchorage Alaska teaching ceramics at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Before her time in the extra cold north, she moved back and forth between Montana and Washington State working as a studio artist and teaching at both Eastern Washington University and at the University of Washington in Seattle. During her first stay in Montana, Melissa was a resident at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena for two years and was the recipient of the Lincoln Fellowship for one year. Melissa became interested in art at an early age and her interests were fostered by taking art classes at a local art center in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

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