Sculpture / Ceramics

$ 260 per 4-week class plus $45 materials fee.

Ceramics

• Introductory Ceramics / CR100

Students will explore and develop the properties of sculptural clay. Instruction will be given in the development of coil and slab techniques, surface development, texture  and the various methods of glaze application. The projects will include but not be limited to functional / utilitarian objects, plates, cups, bowls, and more.

• Advanced Ceramics / CR101

Students will explore and develop the figure as sculptural form. Working with sculptural clay, the components of scale, proportion, and volume necessary in the sculptural realization of the figure will be covered. Instruction will be given to develop realism as it may be defined through surface textures / methods, and techniques of glaze application. The culmination of the class will be the creation of a life size, glazed self-portrait.

• Beginning Ceramics: On the Wheel / CR102

This course is designed to teach students the art of throwing pottery on the wheel.  Students will learn how to make bowls, cups, vases and other vessels through a series of instructed, hands-on exercises and lots of practice.

• Architectural Slab Construction

This class will focus on perfecting seamless corners as well as smooth consistent edges.  Working from initial sketches, students will construct a vase, wall relief or abstract work of art, using clay slabs. 

Students will roll out clay, creating “leather hard” slabs as the material for their work. And prepare 1 or 2 preliminary drawings of the piece they wish to create.  The end goal is to complete and glaze a ceramic architectural piece that is portfolio quality.

All experience levels are welcome.

• Ceramics Freestyle 

Carolyn Bistrian has been teaching ceramics for more than twenty-five years on the East End and is excited to begin inspiring students at Applied Arts.  This freestyle class is open to students of all skill levels and interests.  Beginning students will be taught the basic techniques for working with clay; pinch pots, coiling and slab construction before moving on to variations of these techniques and glazing.  The topics for all skill levels will vary monthly based on student interest and will gradually increase in complexity as students continue to build their skills in additional sessions.  In addition, taking classes with Carolyn offers the opportunity to work with several clay bodies and surface variation as she is offering Raku firings and smoke firing at her private studio facilities. The class will meet on Tuesdays, students can register for 4-week sessions.

Ceramics Workshops

• Surface 

This workshop will introduce students to new techniques for treating the surface of their ceramic forms.  Techniques included will be sgraffito carving, inlaying, embossing, printing, slip trailing and abrading.  Understanding glazes and how they work, underglazes and non-traditional materials such as acrylic sealers and waxes will be covered. Students will leave with an understanding of how the surface can and should be an integral part of the creative process.  The workshop is designed for students with all levels of experience. *Students are encouraged to bring leather-hard work they have thrown or hand-built to the workshop.

• Mugs & Pitchers 

During this workshop students will be experimenting with the challenging fundamentals of the perfect mug and pitcher.  Exploring essential elements in the relationship between handle and rim, foot and body in order to create pieces that feel good in our hands, balance, pour and express our unique vision.  Let’s rescue this everyday artifact and see how far we can take it!

Sculpture

• Sculpture Studio / SC100

Individual student projects are emphasized and can include portrait, figure, bas-relief, or abstraction. Lessons include building proper armatures, clay application and the use of tools. All levels are welcome.

• Mold Making And Casting Techniques / SC101

In this intensive and practical seminar, students will learn the beginning basics of mold making and casting.  Each student will work with plaster and flexible materials, creating two or more part molds, box molds and mother molds.  This class will also cast from life, prepare wax molds for metal casting, and learn the importance of precision and trouble-shooting.

• Body Casting / SC102

This class will focus on the process of plaster body casting.  Working with plaster to create both negative and positive casts, students will pair off and explore the medium of figurative casting.  How does the body relate to found objects?  How will they then be cast and assembled?  Examples - a cast of a face while eating an apple or an arm holding a balloon.  Artists discussed will include George Segal and Duane Hanson.

• Carving: Subtractive Sculpture / SC103

The class will focus on the abstract aspects of anthropomorphic sculptural form.  Plaster will be employed - as a material to be used like stone, which will then be carved, smoothed and rounded into three-dimensional forms.  “Essence of Form”  as developed in the works of Henry Moore, Constane Brancusi and Jean Arp will be explored. 

• Figure And Portrait Sculpture

Part A: Figure Sculpture / SC300

This class will use a live model to investigate human form. The approach of using the model as a subject will enhance the student’s knowledge of sculptural design. Special attention is given to anatomy, concepts of volume, proportion, structure and composition. Lessons include armature construction, clay application and use of tools.  No prior experience necessary.

Part B: Self Portrait Sculpture / SC301

Students sculpt from a live model in clay. Likeness and character are achieved through the use of perception points and measurement. Students learn to recognize three-dimensional planes and forms that make up the construction of the life size model. Students are instructed to develop their own interpretation of the model by surface treatment, gesture of the head and facial expression.

• Environmental Sculpture / SC400

Explore the outdoors to find natural elements to inspire and create sculptural forms.  Learn about artists who incorporate earth materials into their work. Each student will use minimal tools and adhesives while experimenting with found objects, concepts and ideas. This class provides a unique opportunity for artists interested in working with nature. Critiques will be an integral part of class.

• Garden Sculpture (Spring and Summer) / SC401

The idea of a sculpture garden has a rich background in French art and architecture of the seventeenth century. Working outside, this course utilizes inspiration from the great outdoors and the history of the sculpture gardens. Sculpted construction, use of tools and design will be the strengths of this course.