tile, pottery, mosaic construction arts
Handbuilding Tile Murals and Repeating Tile Borders with Joel McKinney
Participants will learn how to design and build either tile murals or repeating tile borders. (Those who really pay attention will learn both!) The Handbuilt Tile Mural class covers pattern design/cartooning for borders/murals; preparing the wet clay; transferring the pattern/cartoon to the clay; wet relief work (intaglio and carving are both covered); application of fine detail with burnishing and carving tools; trimming and chasing the tiles; mold making for borders; underglazing and other color treatments; bisque firing; glazing; glaze firing; and installation basics. Everything but the actual firing will take place at the Milan school and you will be proud to keep your completed work. To learn more about handbuilt tiles and see samples of Joel’s work go to www.blackhawk-studios.org.
Date: Three Wednesdays, April 2, 9, & 16
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 15
Tuition: member-$195 non-member-$210
Deposit: $90
Supplies: $25 or more depending on project
Click here to register.
Mosaic Decoration: Starting with the Basics with Croix Farnham
This class is designed for beginners interested in the fine art of mosaic construction. Starting with a picture frame, students will learn techniques from grout lines to forming the andamento of a piece. Students will learn how to cut glass and place other found objects into simple shapes to design colorful, one of a kind patterns. After completing their own piece (picture frame or stained glass) students will have a complete understanding of what it takes to create a vibrant, original mosaic—imagining all the possibilities of decorating with their new skill—kitchen, bath, garden, furniture.
Date: Saturday and Sunday, April 5 & 6
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: March 15
Tuition: member-$50 non-member-$65
Deposit: $30
Supplies: $70 includes tools, grout, and ample supply of glass to choose from. Students should also bring a picture frame of any size that they want to use as a base, and any found objects to incorporate into the design such as jewelry, ash trays or candy dish, trinkets, spoon, or even pictures or old china pieces. Contact MVAS with questions and for list of tools to bring to class.
Click here to register.
Pottery on the Prairie at Earthrise Farm with Paul Tjepkes
This is a class to bring art and landscape together in an outdoor, hands-on, community learning experience. The class will be held outdoors at Earthrise Farm, where the focus will be on hand-building, pit firing, and the cultural history and meanings of decoration and shape of different kinds of pottery. Students will experiment with glazes in the pit firing process and potter’s wheels will be available for those interested in throwing. The pit firing process takes approximately 4 days, so students will need to plan to pick up their pieces the following week.
Date: Monday through Thursday, July 14, 15, 16, & 17
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: July 1
Tuition: $40 per day or $160 for 4 days.
Deposit: $20 per day
Supplies: $20 or amount of clay used.
Click here to register.
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