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Tag: Pottery classes
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Spotlight on our Advanced Studies Program
Here at The Village Potters Clay Center, we are entering the 7th year of our Advanced Studies Ceramics Program. Currently, we have 15 potters who are dedicating 1-3 years studying with us in a program built upon independent study and mentoring. This unique program is a wonderful alternative to studying ceramics in the university setting. Our criteria for applicants is based on a potter’s personal goals, current skill level, and current work. We have a simple but efficient application process that helps us accept candidates that are a good fit for our program. Our deadline for application for our next session beginning November 1, 2023 is September 1st, 2023.
Members of our current group of potters in the Advanced Studies Program For the next 3 newsletters I will spotlight several potters currently in our program.
Amanda Bragaw of AB Goods, is a wonderful potter who studied with us for several years, taking classes and then 2 years ago applied for our advanced studies program and was awarded an apprenticeship as well.
Amanda has accomplished much in her 2 years, concentrating on her body of work and developing her own glazes. She has developed a beautiful body of functional pots in black, white, soft lavenders, and teals.
Amanda Bragaw with some of her bowls Close up of bowls Platter by Amanda Bragaw Pots in soft, lavender hues (Photography by Sarah Wells Rolland)
Another wonderful potter in our program is Diana Hoover of Knook Ceramics. She entered our advanced studies program in Nov 2022. She had been taking classes here at The Village Potters Clay Center for several years when she applied. In her year in our program Diana has developed her contemporary, colorful aesthetic and is now marketing her work. She explores shape, color, geometric pattern, and random pattern in her work. She makes stylized pottery for the contemporary home.
Diana Hoover, holding several vessels Bowls by Diana Hoover Vases by Diana Hoover Colorful, contemporary designs by Diana Hoover (Photography by Diana Hoover)
Chad Caldwell of Artfully Appalachian has been making pottery for several years now, first studying here at The Village Potters in our community classes, and for the last year in our advanced studies program. He has been an apprentice now for 2 years and works in our Advanced Studies Studio and at his home studio as well. Chad has developed a colorful body of work celebrating nature with color and imagery.
Chad Caldwell with Fern Bowl (Photograph by Sarah Wells Rolland)
“Oranges” bowls by Chad Caldwell Cups by Chad Caldwell Fern Plate by Chad Caldwell (photograpy by Chad Caldwell)
Working with emerging ceramic artists and sharing in their creative journey is an integral part of our mission here at The Village Potters Clay Center.
Links:
Amanda Bragaw of AB Goods: WEBSITE INSTAGRAM
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A Story of Hope and Creativity out of Hardship
One of the greatest opportunities that I have had as an apprentice is the chance to teach pottery classes, specifically teaching beginners. There is no greater feeling than teaching someone who has never touched clay how to throw, and see them pull up their first pot. The progress that I’ve seen students make in six short weeks of my class fills me up with pride. When I see their progress, I feel like I am making a difference. I am adding a little bit of joy to their life.
I am currently completing my apprenticeship and the Independent Study and Mentoring program, and I have graciously accepted Sarah’s offer to become a Resident Potter at the end of my program. That means in November I get to stay, take on more responsibilities, and continue to grow my own business under the wing of The Village Potters. Because this transition period is happening during Covid and The Village Potters’ Vessels of Hope fundraiser, I wanted to help out my studio to the best of my ability. Here at The Village Potters we constantly say, “It takes a village!”, so when we launched Chapter 2 of the fundraiser, Sarah stepped back and let the other residents be the focus, and that included me. However, since I am still an apprentice, I decided to pick up where my mentor Sarah left off. Whereas the other residents will be donating work in one of their signature forms or styles, I wanted to challenge myself creatively and take on Sarah’s original VOH forms of vases made with 2.5 lbs. of clay. They will each be thrown and glazed uniquely, no two alike. I hope to try some of Sarah’s techniques to add motion and dimension to my pots, and I will also incorporate some of my recent slip-trailing dot and cut-out work in these 100 Vessels of Hope vases.
So why is this Vessels of Hope sale and the survival of The Village Potters so important? Because of the genuine community that Sarah and her fellow residents, Judi Harwood, Lori Theriault, Julia Mann, Christine Henry, and Tori Motyl, have spent years to cultivate. It is the rare type of community where every person truly wants others to succeed. It is genuine, warm, and built from the collective agreement that we want to learn and grow in clay together. Because every person who takes a class is a seed planted in our community garden. If you take the time to stay, the residents will water you with their knowledge and expertise. They will take the time to nurture you and help you succeed. They’ll make way for you to soak up the sun; the light that comes from success, all the while fondly watching you prosper, cheering you on from the sidelines. Before you know it, you’ve grown roots and are here to stay. You are a part of something bigger than yourself and become one of many flowers in the flourishing garden that is The Village Potters.”
Read on to learn a bit more of the journey that has led me to The Village Potters Clay Center. “Concussions are no joke; I suffered two serious concussions that caused me to leave college, and those two head traumas have changed how I process and view everything. I like to say that those conks to my head just brought out my artsy side. I believe that everything happens for a reason and in this case, it’s true because those concussions are what led me to The Village Potters Clay Center.
After a stint at university and moving back home, I found myself going through the typical, young-twenties quarter life crisis, and taking pottery classes at AB Tech and babysitting, trying not to dwell on leaving my social bubble that was undergrad. I wanted to grow my throwing skills more so I looked for more advanced pottery classes in the area.
The first thing I noticed about The Village was the warm and friendly energy that I felt when I walked in the door. Resident potter Judi Harwood greeted me with a genuine smile as soon as I stepped inside, and when I expressed interest in the classes and programs they offered, she took me on a tour of The Village Potters’ vast facility. As she took me around, I could tell that she was proud to show off the home she and her fellow resident potters had built together. I signed up for Sarah Wells Rolland’s 12-week Advanced Throwing class that same day.
Through Sarah’s class, I started to feel hopeful again. After years of experiencing a deteriorating processing speed, and many failures from my concussions, I found something at which I could once again excel. Needless to say, 12 weeks at The Village Potters was not enough and so I applied for their Independent Study and Mentoring program. I also applied to be an apprentice, which means I do a work trade for my tuition to the program. There are many other benefits laid out in my apprentice agreement but the most important privileges aren’t easily quantifiable.
Being an apprentice means that I get to work for and learn the inner workings of a functioning studio. I am learning how to load kilns, mix glazes, fire kilns, maintain a clean studio, and more. I only work 8 hours a week for TVP but those hours mean that the resident potters, who at first seemed to be intimidating business women, began morphing into so much more in my eyes. They are accessible and receptive to my curious questions, and became my library for pottery and business advice. They are my mentors in clay but also, suddenly, in life.
Katie Meili Messersmith
Apprentice and future resident potter
The Village Potters Clay Center: -
The Allure of Sculpture
By JUDI HARWOOD
Our teaching center at The Village Potters is happy to announce the addition of Beginner Sculpture classes! As the resident potter who will be teaching these classes, I’d like to give you a little background.
In 1999 I took a pottery class (wheel) with a friend for something fun to do together before she
moved away. My friend didn’t like getting her hands dirty, but I got hooked! As my hands touched the wet clay on the wheel I knew I wanted to learn more about how to gently move this amazingly responsive material into wonderful shapes. As I pursued learning to make pots on the wheel there was always a nagging desire to ‘draw’ 3 dimensionally with clay without the use of a wheel. A bit intimidated about the process, I couldn’t make the leap to ‘just do it’.
So, several years ago, I took my first sculpture workshop with Nan Jacobsohn, a nationally recognized sculptor (www.theclayhorse.com). Watching her work unlocked something inside of me to be free to move this fascinating substance we call clay into the shapes or forms I envisioned. Since then horses, lions, and human figures somehow, almost magically, continue to make their way out of a lump of clay, through my hands.Feel it. Experience what you can only perceive through touch. Sculpture. Tuesdays at The Village Potters from 3:30 to 6:00. Register Online for February 18 start date.
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Celebrating a Year!
The small beginnings of a dream realized are monumental and we at The Village Potters believe something to be celebrated.
photo by Kristin Fuchs One year ago this October, this wonderful collective of artists opened the doors of The Village Potters Gallery, Studio and Teaching Center. In this year God has so exponentially blessed us and we have grown at a rate that all seven of us have been challenged in managing. This is a good thing!
We began many years ago as a vision, an abstract idea of community, collaboration, and a pursuit of excellence in every area of our lives in a shared and supportive environment. Our first year has been nothing short of an exciting wild ride.
Though the construction process seemed unending and at times insurmountable, we did complete the process that began in Feb 2011, and we moved in October thanks to the tremendous efforts of George Rolland, potter Sarah Wells Rolland’s husband, with the help of great supportive friends. George got to rest for a split second on that glorious day as it seemed the real work was only about to begin.
George and Sarah, in an unusual moment of rest. In many ways, it seems this first year has gone by in the blink of an eye, but when we look back on everything that’s happened, it’s almost surprising that it’s only been a year! Here’s a condensed look back at our first year:
We had many great gatherings and events, including our Grand Opening, Holiday Studio Sale, a Launch Party for Cara Mae Skin Care, and hosting the Clay Club and an event for some Furry Friends, among others. And some events were so nice, we did them twice, like two of our Masters Series Workshops, two Southern Highland Craft Fairs, two Riverview Station Pot Lucks, two Studio Strolls, and two events for Empty Bowls . Add to that seven Second Saturday events, and Multiple Demonstrations for Touring Groups. And meanwhile, we were installing six kilns, pouring wedging tables, acquiring eight pottery wheels, developing marketing plans, and adding classes and workshops for children and adults. Oh, and while we occasionally stepped out for a birthday celebration, we were also making beautiful pots and sculptures to fill our gallery and for collectors and clients around the region and across the country.
one of many birthday celebrations. We have received and continue to receive the support of so many people without whom none of this would have been possible, including our spouses and extended families, dear friends, Fleta Monaghan of 310 Art, Artists of The River Arts District, The Southern Highland Craft Guild, Riverview Station owners Helaine Green and Trudy Gould, our church families, pastors, many prayer partners, and our wonderful collectors who so believe in what we do they purchase our work and honor us in doing so.
We want to thank everyone, so we are throwing down a party and we want you to come! On Saturday, October 6 at 6:30pm we will have chocolate flowing, fire spinning, music playing, and kilns opening. In other words we want to take this first year out with a rejoicing sound! Read more about the party HERE.
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Pots are Everywhere!
Things are really busy at The Village Potters. There are pots everywhere! Kilns are firing up and then cooling down. No one wanted to fire during this heat wave, but The Southern Highland Craft Fair is next week starting July 19th and we all are going to be there.
Judi Harwood
We will be exhibiting our latest work. Judi’s sculpture, Cat’s Doggie bowls and amazing teapots, and Sarah’s altered forms and some really big pots for that extra special place will all be spotlighted in this show.
Our Teaching Center will have a booth too. We will have brochures and information available for all you aspiring potters out there. Classes are already filling up for August. Village Potter’s Melanie, Lori and Karen will be available at the booth to answer questions and register new students.
Shadow May Shadow May is demonstrating for two days at our next Master Series Workshop and it is sure to be fun as well as inspiring. He will be exhibiting at the Fair as well. Be sure to stop by and meet him, see his work, and then sign up for this workshop Aug 3-4.
Sarah Wells Rolland The Gallery is buzzing with shoppers and curious visitors who have come to The Village Potters to see what the life of an artist is like.
Cat Jarosz The cooler weather is finally here. So, come visit us at The Village and plan to spend a day at The Southern Highland Craft Fair, Thursday- Sunday, July 19th-22nd. Come and see the pieces pictured above in their finished form. I can confidently say you will have a great time and possibly find a wonderful piece of pottery you want to live with.
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Things We’re Building At The Village Potters
We’re building inventories, to keep our beautiful, contemporary gallery filled with fine ceramic art.
We’re building a reduction kiln, which has been very exciting for those of us who will fire it.
We’re building community within our own Riverview Station, with our first building pot luck. How wonderful to meet so many creative, talented people who are our neighbors.
We’re building our classes and workshops: this weekend’s Masters Series Workshop with Barbara Knutson is just about filled to capacity, we’ll soon start taking registrations for the Shadow May workshop in August and Sarah Wells Rolland’s November workshop, as well more one-day, hands on workshops and our After-Hours Series featuring individual Village Potters.
Stop by The Village Potters and see what we’re building, and check out all our classes, clinics and After-Hours events. Maybe you’ll be building something soon yourself!
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Masking Our Global Culture
Some great images from our recent workshop for both parent and child: Masking Our Global Culture, led by Melanie Mitchell Robertson, Director of Education at The Village Potters.
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Schedule for 10-Week Adult Clay Classes Updated!
Our 10-week adult clay classes are now available for open enrollment, which means your 10-week session begins when you register, based on availability. Check our description of 10-Week Classes for details and days/times they meet. If you have any questions, contact Melanie Mitchell Robertson or the teacher of the class that interests you. Fee & Registration information has also been updated. We look forward to seeing you in class soon!
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It’s the Season for New Endeavors!!!
Bowl By Village Potter and Instructor, Lori Theriault
Everyone is given a creative edge. Many of us have nurtured this most of our lives and others want to get on the creative path as soon as possible. The Village Potters Teaching Center is ready to share and contribute to your journey.
A class with clay is a great way to explore creativity in an easy and engaging environment. Explore working at the wheel (throwing), handbuilding, sculpting, carving, glazing, and firing your own work in a small group setting.
Village Potters Judi Harwood, Melanie Robertson, and Lori Theriault have been preparing diligently for this coming session of classes. All of these ladies are experienced instructors and are dedicated to their students and their individual journeys.
If you have been thinking about getting started in something fun and being stretched a bit, a pottery class at The Village is for you.
Classes are beginning in just 2 weeks Oct 29th! It is time to sign up now. We do have “Early Bird” incentives!!!!
Read more about the classes and the times they are offered here on our website.
We are located at Riverview Station in The River Arts District, Asheville, NC.
