Feeling isolation frustration? Stir up your creativity and Clay-Along with NCC through classes and kits designed to fulfill your clay longings at a social distance. This reimagined approach to ceramic education will pioneer a couple of different avenues: 5-week virtual classes, and self-guided clay kits. Virtual classes will meet once a week via Google Meet and Google Classroom with an NCC Teaching Artist who is eager to guide you through quality at-home digital learning; and clay kits that feature instruction for a self-guided clay experience. Both offerings have the option to include low-fire clay and a set of engobes (colored slips), firings at NCC, and a guide to setting up a space for clay in your home.
No clay-specific tools? No problem! All classes and lessons can be accomplished with everyday utensils and objects. To learn more about Clay-Along options, click HERE.
Clay-Along Classes
Beginning the week of May 18, Clay-Along Class offerings will explore the compelling potential and versatility of creating with clay at home. Reunite (virtually) with your clay-mates for weekly, live instruction via Zoom where experienced teaching artists will give demonstrations and guide you through different projects and techniques. Classes will run for an hour and a half each week for five weeks. Between meetings, learn from online resources and connect and discuss with others via Google Classroom. With a variety of experience levels and creative offerings — all tailored to be accomplished in a simple home studio — we are sure to have a class that is enticing and accessible to you.
No materials? No problem! You can select an optional materials kit that includes a guide to setting up an at-home clay space, 25 lbs of low-fire clay (choice of Low-fire Red: a smooth terracotta body; or Raku: a grittier, off-white body), a set of engobes (colored slips) and firings at NCC. If you have everything you need already, just select the content-only version. The details of kit pick-up and work drop-off at NCC will be communicated to you with your registration. We can’t wait for you to Clay-Along with us!
In this installment of the #10DigitTech talks, Canadian ceramicist Carole Epp discusses the development of the Make & Do Canadian Clay Directory, as well as the struggles, and what it takes to build a resource like this online.
We’re pleased to share with you our 10 Digit Technology; Understanding Virtual & Material Realities Speaker Series. These talks were recorded March 7, 2020 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as a part of our 14th National CCF/FCMA Conference. Our speakers and panelists explore new approaches, research and projects on the material and digital realities in craft.
James Renwick Alliance
Chrysalis Award for Emerging Artists
2020 Focus: Ceramics
The Chrysalis Award was created by the James Renwick Alliance to encourage and assist emerging visual artists. Emerging is defined as someone early in their artistic career, without regard to age, who demonstrates excellence in their work and a commitment to developing in unique and dynamic ways, but without major gallery representation or significant exhibition history.
Our 2020 award will focus on emerging artists working in the CERAMICS field. In future years, we will solicit nominees in other media. The awardee will be selected by an independent panel of jurors. The 2020 Chrysalis Award was generously made possible by JRA member, Rebecca Ravenal.
The awardee receives a $5,000 unrestricted award, a trip to Washington, DC, for a dedicated occasion to give a formal presentation about their work (all expenses paid), and an opportunity to meet with other artists, collectors, and JRA members. Depending on health concerns/realities, these events may be conducted virtually. To further support emerging artists, especially in light of these tough times, we are offering $3,000+ in additional awards, also to emerging artists working in ceramics.
2020 Award Eligibility
The artist must have completed a four-year academic program or self-directed equivalent training within the past 5 years. Residencies, workshops, and/or a dedicated practice qualify as equivalent training. Applicants may not have had a solo commercial exhibition or be exclusively represented by a gallery or commercial entity.
The applicant must be working in the ceramics craft field and show merit, skill, and innovation in their work. Craft is the creation of original objects through the skillful manipulation of ceramic materials. Qualities that contribute to the success of a craft object include the skill of the maker, the use of the material, the refinement of the design, the originality of expression, and/or its cultural significance. The applicant must have residency in the United States. Applicants are asked to supply 3-5 images of work completed in the past five years and answer all application questions.
Application fee: WAIVED FOR 2020 Application deadline: September 8, 2020
Notification of Award: October 5, 2020
Award Presentation: by the end of 2020
