Medalta: Winter 2011 Intro & Inter Ceramic Classes begin, Medicine Hat College

Introduction to Pottery
From the dawn of mankind, clay has recorded our creativity. The earliest humans skillfully formed beautiful items from clay to satisfy their artistic souls. Come explore and learn both the ancient and modern clay skills of hand building and wheel throwing. Beginners and those with some clay experience can gain confidence by creating artistic and functional pottery pieces that are glazed and fired. Clay and tools may be purchased at the first class for a small additional fee. Enjoy the thrill of bringing clay to life with your own hands! Instructors for these courses are visiting artists who are participating in the Medalta International Artist in Residence Program in partnership with Friends of Medalta.
– Session A : $149, Monday Feb 7 to Apr 4, 6:30 to 9:30 pm
– Session B: $149, Tuesday Feb 8 to Apr 5, 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Intermediate Pottery
Have you taken one or two pottery classes before and feel that you are ready for something a little different? This class is for you. We will be learning some new techniques and improving on existing ones. Both handbuilding and the pottery wheel will be explored. You will have more time to work at your own pace and pursue your own projects in an encouraging and creative atmosphere.
– Session A: $149, Wed, Feb 9 to Apr 6, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Pots for the Garden
It is never too early to start thinking of spring. What if this year you actually made some of the accessories for your garden? Various projects will be pursued such as plant pots, sculpted gargoyles, plant markers, and decorative tiles. Using bright red earthen ware clay this class explores all the fundamentals of working with clay, but will also be of interest to students with some experience.
– Session A: $149, Thur, Feb 10 to Apr 7, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Sculpture
Have you always wanted to sculpt something out of clay? Now is your chance. This class will cover some basic aspects of clay sculpture. Various sculptural techniques will be explored in a fun and supportive atmosphere. The figure, still life and experimental sculpting styles will be introduced. You do not need any previous experience with clay to enroll in this class.
– Session A: $149, Sat Feb 12 to Apr 9, 10 am to 1 pm

via Alberta Craft Council

Artist of the Day: Kelly Austin

Kelly is a fourth year student in Vancouver at the Emily Carr University focusing in ceramics.

Here’s a bit about her work:
I strive to maintain balance between design, craft and art when creating. Working by hand, on the wheel and with molds, is a political choice I make which values strong craftsmanship in our modern world. I am drawn to the domestic interior space and create objects for use in daily life which connect with people over a long period of time.
Drawn to minimal form and subtle surface, I am interested in the way light, shadow, line and proportion interact. I am passionate about making contemporary work that relates to our culture today and it is my hope to continue building my knowledge of the ceramic medium through education, personal work and teaching.

Artist of the Day: Patty Bilbro



@font-face { font-family: “Calibri”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Patty Bilbro is a studio potter living and working in the mountains of Western North Carolina. She fires to cone 10 in a gas reduction kiln. Using simple forms as a palette Patty combines brushwork illustrations with a layering of multiple shinos to create snapshot narratives. Loving everything hand-made she is continually humbled by the knowledge, creativity, humor and talent that surround her.www.pattybilbrofoxfirepottery.com
www.PattyBilbro.blogspot.com

Artist of the Day: Lori Buff


Bio:

I fell in love with pottery when I was a junior in high school. This love of creating clay forms led me to decide that I was going to be a potter when I grew up. I was accepted at The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University based on my portfolio work.

Little did I know, I would never grow up.

After leaving school, I traveled around the country in a 1971 Pinto with extended stays in New York, Virginia, Wisconsin and Birmingham. I eventually settled in Atlanta, GA where I tried for 27 years to live the life expected of me, working corporate jobs and such.

I have finally returned to the wheel and to the career that has been calling to me to get “back down to Earth.” I now throw at my studio in East Atlanta Village . My award-winning works have been shown in juried shows in the New York and Atlanta Metro areas including the Telephone Factory Lofts Art Show and the Inman Park Festival.

Check out more about Lori and her awesome work on her website: http://FutureRelicsGallery.com

Emerging Artists 2011 – call for entry

In May 2011, Ceramics Monthly will feature the works of emerging clay artists. Those actively pursuing a career in ceramics for less than ten years are eligible.

To be considered submit the following:
• Up to five professional-quality digital images (300 ppi resolution on CD, plus a full-size color print of each image), with complete descriptions of works.
• Full contact information including e-mail, artist’s statement and résumé.
Mail to:
Emerging Artist, Ceramics Monthly, 600 N. Cleveland Ave., Suite 210, Westerville, OH 43082.
Do not submit materials in binders or folders. Emailed submissions and submissions of more than five images will not be considered. Submitted materials will not be returned. Due to the volume of entries, no phone calls, please.
Arrival deadline: February 25, 2011
Do you know an emerging artist? Do they need a nudge? Pass this along and help them get the recognition they deserve.