Summer Kick-Off Open House

Last Friday BCA officially kicked off its schedule of summer programming with an open house in the Clay & Print Studios, Community Darkroom/Digital Media Lab and the Patrick S. Robins Paint Studio. In the clay studio we had an exhibition of studio assistant work, wheel throwing demos, refreshments and more. In the print studio we had studio assistant and member work on display and silkscreening and etching demonstrations. We also used the opportunity to show off the recent improvements and renovations.

Thanks to all who helped in the set up and breakdown, and of course, to all those who dropped in to take part in the event!

Here are a few pictures from the evening:





Work by Laura Baum

Work by Sasha Scott

Work by Andrea Hook

Work by Katie Dyer

Work by Jess Longobardo

Work by Jess Longobardo

Work by Andy Snyder

Work by Chris Vaughn

Chris doing a wheel throwing demo

New equipment for the print studio

Hilary doing an etching demo at the press

Silkscreening demos with Torrey

Torrey pulling a silkscreen print









   

Some Inspirations- ABC

Hi Folks

Alex here.

I get the sense that this blog hasn't been updated in a very long time, and I thought I'd bring it back, somewhat, by bringing in some images of ceramic art that's been inspiring me lately.

This is some work by a friend of a friend:

Michelle Summers is Portland, Oregon ceramicist. I love the subtle combination of glazing and incised surfaces. You might also like to check out her blog, which has some great images of her work and the work of others.

An artist who inspired me a lot when I was working only as a hand-builder is Beth Cavener Stichter. Her work is often monumental, both gestural and careful.

This brings me to one of my mentors, John Byrd. When he was my professor, I was just beginning to get acquainted with clay. His combination of clay and non-clay materials is challenging, unusual, and masterful.

A great many other artists working in clay inform the work that I do. I plan on listing other such artists in the future. I would invite other BCA Clay Studio folks to post links and images for the artists and other inspirations they have for making work in clay.

March Clay Studio Newsletter

New Class Is Starting This Month!

6 Week Mixed Level Independent Study with Jules Polk!

Study with Jules Polk to bring your pottery to the next level. Learn altered forms, fresh throwing techniques, and more. Bring your ideas and interests and make them come to life in this independent study class.

Thursday nights from 6pm-9pm March 11th - April 15th
$160.00 non-members
$144.00 BCA members
Limit:10

Space is going fast. Please contact Cathy if interested in the class.

Expand From Clay, Learn how to Spin Yarn with Eliza Collins

Special Wool/Yarn Spinning Class offered by Eliza Collins!

PART I
Sun. March 21st 1-3:00pm
Learn to spin with a drop spindle along-side accomplished spinner, Eliza Collins Weissberger. Drop spindles allow new spinners to learn the craft without investing in spinning wheels. It is also very portable—you can spin anywhere! Participants will take home their own drop spindle and clean carded wool to practice this relaxing craft.

$30/person for the first 2 hour class (including materials and spindle!!)
PLEASE REGISTER WITH CATHY WARD THROUGH EMAIL
LIMIT: 10 students

PART II
Sun. March 28th 1-3:00pm
Learn about washing wool and hand carding and such ( and plying), then there is plenty of material for more than one class.

$20/person for the follow up class (instruction only).PLEASE REGISTER WITH CATHY WARD THROUGH EMAIL
LIMIT: 10 students

For any questions please feel free to contact Eliza at maplebaby@gmail.com

Studio Rentals

Everyone should now have their name and rental time period written on the tape for their shelf. This will allow you to take charge of renewing your membership when needed. When your membership has passed you will have two weeks to either renew or clear off your shelf. If I have not heard from you in two weeks your shelf will be cleaned off by me and your pots will go into the fundraiser area.

Shelving Space

You may have noticed the black lines separating your shelf from your neighbors. All shelves have been equally divided, each member is
expected to stay on his or her shelf. If more space is needed you can rent another shelf for $30.00 a month. Just please let me know if you are interested in stretching your ceramic legs.

BCA DANCE-A-THON!!

On April 17th we will be holding our 3rd Dance-A-Thon to raise money for BCA’s children programming fund. This party will be held in the Annex of Memorial Auditorium so the clay studio needs to represent!! There are many ways to participate. We can raise money as a group or individually. I have put together a dance team called the “Mudslingers”. If you would like to join the dance team please go to www.firstgiving.com/mudslingers and join me on the dance floor. Or go to my personal page at www.firstgiving.com/catherineward and donate anything from $1.00 to $1000.00 !!!! See you on the dance floor!

Congratulations to Andy and Eliza. They are both showing their work here in Burlington. Andy is showing at Candles and Creations in the University Mall and Eliza is showing her work at Frog Hollow on Church Street. Stop by and support our fellow artists.

If you are showing somewhere and want to share it with us please let us know!

Also please note the artist links on the left hand side of this page. Just click on an artist and you will be connected to their personal web site. If you would like to be added to this list please send an e mail to cward@ci.burlington.vt.us