Medium: Baskets with hard materials and soft fibers

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Each student will use rib construction and twining to explore sculptural basketry.  Students can choose to use hard materials, including reed, vines, sticks and natural materials purchased, found and harvested.  Rib construction will be the technique used for the hard materials.  Twining will be the techniques used with the soft fibers, using waxed linen, yarns, ropes, and fibers to create endless shapes and designs.  Decreasing, increasing the sizes and shapes of all the approaches will be covered while also taking into consideration individual materials.  Double walls, tunnels and layering will be explored in soft, rigid and woven forms.  Students can bring their choice of the soft or hard materials to make their baskets.

SUPPLIES TO BRING

• Your own ideas, shapes in mind that you are interested in pursuing, in a picture or sketched out. (Students are not committed to these ideas but it is important to get thinking.)
• Sketch pad
• Pencils
• Regular basketry tools:
• scissors
• pliers
• water botttle
• ruler
• etc
  
• Hard materials to weave with:
• Reed 1/8 and 3/16 flat or flat oval and #2 #3 #4 round reed (smaller diameter and width are easier to manipulate into rib sculptural forms
• Fine cane is a great material for these baskets
• Harvested barks, grasses and other natural materials that will not break or fall apart
• For the frame:
• Reed
• Willow
• Grapevine
• Honeysuckle
• Vine rattan
• Sticks
• Driftwood
• Vines
• Some soft materials:
• Soft 6 or 7 or 12 ply waxed linen
• Pine needles
• Any other linens, cords, or soft materials that are easy to manipulate... nothing too slick or difficult to control
  

Materials fee: $ TBA

Visit Mary Hettsmansperger's Website...

http://www.maryhetts.com/

Medium: Mixed Media

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Join collaborative artists Robin Krazinsky and Kim Overstreet as we take a closer look at objects and techniques to create a mixed media brooch.
In this workshop, professional artists as well as amateurs, will enjoy the creative process while having the rare opportunity to pick the brains of these two internationally known artists.  Since 1985, Robin and Kim have been collaborating using off-beat and diverse materials to create their narrative jewelry.  Armed with 26 years of experience, these two mixed media smiths will share stories about images of their work, as well as tips and techniques they have mastered over the years.
Using one of three themes as a jumping off point, students will be guided through the making of a simple collage brooch incorporating techniques of your choosing.  You will come away with a mixed-media brooch you have created, as well as a new way of seeing everyday materials, plus a brain chock-full of new ideas to carry into your own work.

*Students will need to know the general basics of how to use a jewelers saw.

SUPPLIES TO BRING:

• Egg shells: From 3-4 eggs, cleaned with membranes removed. OK if they are broken
• Paper: Such as old magazines, newsprint, tissue paper, vintage postcards or greeting cards with images of people, sky or flowers.  Vintage paper items are best, the older the better (items will be cut)
• Seeds: About 1 tablespoon of seeds used in cooking, such as caraway, poppy, celery seed
• Small flower pod: Or seed pod or other natural “pod-like” element, dried
• Flower petals: Or small leaves, 3-5, dried and flattened
• Watch parts: Or other small “mechanical” parts that resemble gears or tongs
• Miniature personal treasure: Small item to feature in your brooch, ex. A baby tooth
• Selection of small knick knacks, pieces of broken jewelry, hardware scraps, chain links, etc
• Jar lid: 1 or more, metal, 2”-2 ¼” dia
• Jar: For rinsing brushes
• Cloth rag: Old tee shirt is good
• Plastic lid: Such as from a margarine tub
•  Q-tips: A hand full
• Acryllic paint: One or more of your favorite colors
• Paint brushes: 2 or 3 small brushes
• Copper foil: Minimum 5”x5” sq. (found in hobby/craft shops)
• Polymer clay: One small pack of any color
• Steel wool: Fine
• Sandpaper: 1 sheet, 100 grit
• Sponge backed sandpaper: 1 sheet, 150 grit
• Devcon  2-part, 5 minute epoxy
• Super glue: 1 small tube
• Elmers glue: 1 small Elmers “Glue-All” multipurpose glue
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Fine point marker
• Ball point pen
• Small tweezers
• Small scissors
• Xacto knife w/ #11 blade
• Metal file w/ fine tooth
• Wire cutters
• Jewelers saw w/ a couple of #05 blades
• Needlenose pliers
• *Apron
• * Hole punch
• * Examples (or images) of your work to share with the class

A native Richmonder born in 1956, Robin attended Virginia Commonweath University and received a BFA in Crafts while majoring in Ceramics. For six years Robin worked at Miller & Rhoads Department Store in the visual merchandising and design department where she enjoyed making small and large scale props from various materials.  Robin eventually moved into Miller & Rhoads advertising department where she first worked with Kim Overstreet.  In 1955 Kim was born in Christiansburg, Virginia and grew up in Bedford, Virginia, relocating to Richmond in 1973. Kim attended VA Western Community College, VA Tech and VCU and over the years has been involved with illustration, graphic design, drawing and animation.       The creative collaboration between Kranitzky and Overstreet began in 1985. While working together at Miller & Roads, Robin and Kim discovered a mutual interest in ceramics which prompted them to create mixed-media jewelry to fund a kiln. The serendipitous flourishing of this project launched their collaborative venture known as Lost & Found. Over the years their jewelry has evolved into intricate, narrative brooches which are now in permanent museum collections. Robin and Kim have participated in many exhibitions over the years and their work is featured in numerous publications. Most recently they were awarded a 2011-12 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts fellowship. Their studio is located in Richmond, Virginia.

Visit the website of Kranitzky and Overstreet...

http://www.kranitzky-overstreet.com/

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

In this class students will be challenged to think beyond the traditional chain while learning chain making techniques and design using both wire and sheet metal. Students will examine and manipulate line, shape, repetition, pattern, and negative space to innovate and personalize their chains. Daily demonstrations and discussions will be complemented with projects and lots of one-on-one time.

Basic skills required:  Sawing, filing, and soldering.

Technical demonstrations will include:

         jump ring making

         wire manipulation

         linkage systems

         cold connections

         surface design

The instructor will present a slide lecture at the beginning of class and bring samples as visual aids; technical information handouts will be given to all students.

SUPPLIES TO BRING:

Tools

• Bring your basic tools: sawframe, equaling and half round hand files, needle files, round nose pliers, chain nose or needle nose pliers, wire snips. You may want to bring other hand tools that you use a lot. Some tools will be available to borrow in the studio.
• Bench pin
• Bench block
• Tweezers, flux, and other soldering tools
• Silver solder - hard, medium, easy
• Saw blades and wax
• Drill bits
• Goggles
• Shop towel
• Sketchbook and drawing/writing utensils
• Pictures of things that inspire you
  

Basic tools can be purchased at Rio Grande 800 545 6566 or http://www.riogrande.com/

 Materials:

• copper, brass, and or sterling silver wire in a variety of gauges (18, 16, 12, and/or 14), bring at least 10 feet
• copper, brass, and or sterling silver sheet in a variety of gauges (20, 22, and/or 18), bring at least 6 x 6”

Materials can be purchased at Rio Grande 800 545 6566 or http://www.riogrande.com/

Materials fee: $TBA

Amy Tavern is received a BFA in Metal Design from the University of Washington in 2002. She also holds a BA in Arts Administration from the State University of New York College at Fredonia. Amy has taught at the Penland School of Crafts and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Amy lectured about professional practices at the 2008 Society of North American Goldsmiths conference and has also spoken at the University of North Carolina Asheville, East Carolina University, and the University of Washington. She has exhibited at Sienna Gallery, Quirk Gallery, and Heidi Lowe Gallery, among others. In 2009 Amy received several emerging artist honors including the American Craft Council Searchlight Artist. Amy’s jewelry has been published in numerous books such as 500 Plastic Jewelry Designs and 500 Silver Jewelry Designs by Lark Books. Amy’s work can be found in galleries around the U.S. and abroad. Originally from Upstate, NY, Amy is currently a resident artist at the Penland School of Crafts. 

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

This is a hands-on workshop focusing on slab construction techniques and Kohiki slip decorating for creating functional pottery forms.

Also Akira will share his experience and understanding in a discussion of the Japanese aesthetic. Participants will gain insight in finding the beauty in imperfection, the meaning of "wabi-sabi", and the importance of "ma" the space in between.

SUPPLIES TO BRING:

• Mini roller (3" Shur-line mini paint roller)
• Economy hake brushes in different sizes (1"-2 1/4")
• Surform shaver
• 4 wood planks (1/4 x 1 1/2 x 24" each)
• Tennis ball
• 1/2 x 24 x 18" piece of foam
• Large rolling pin
• Exacto knife
• A variety of cardboard tubes (eg... 2 1/2 x 5" to 4 1/2 x 12") to be used as a base to make tea bowls
• Pottery tools
• Facting tools (string wire)

Materials fee: $TBA

Akira Satake was born in Osaka, Japan, the artist has been living in the U.S. since 1983 and has won numerous awards here for both visual and music, including the National Award for Excellence in Contemporary Clay. In 2003 he relocated from Brooklyn, New York to Swannanoa, North Carolina, where he built a Japanese Kyushu-style oil kiln and a wood-fired kiln.

 Visit Akira Satake's Website...

http://www.akirasatake.com/

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

This workshop will be suitable for the experienced encaustic artist as well as beginners.  A history and overview of encaustic painting will be part of the class; however we will concentrate on making artworks using encaustic paint and encaustic medium. Safety considerations, multiple techniques and variations on the use of encaustic will be covered.  Mixed media applications with encaustic will include other materials such as graphite, charcoal, oil paint, collage materials such as paper and fabric, and metallic foils.  Incorporation of found objects will also be explored.  Students will have the opportunity to experiment with traditional and non-traditional supports. 

SUPPLIES TO BRING:

• Encaustic paint, available from R&F Paint and Jerry’s Artarama. If you are new to encaustic, look at the two starter kits.  Check prices at both vendors.  One of the starter kits is for opaque color, the other for translucent color.  A little encaustic paint goes a long way. 
• Bleached White Beeswax, Pellet form is best. 
• Encaustic Medium (1 pound should be enough)
• Support   Wooden panels, best to use all pure wood panels, not MDF or items which may have synthetic, oil, or resin components. I recommend Joe's Prime Wooden Painting Panels, available from Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff.
• Brushes and Tools Pure bristle brushes, no synthetics.  Once a brush is a wax brush, it is always a wax brush.  I use the cheapest I can find.  I have assembled a variety of tools for manipulating the wax.  Dental tools, small sculpture tools, clay tools and kitchen tools can be of use.  Check at Jerry’s Artarama under Sculpture and Pottery Modeling tools.  Also useful are stamps and stencils. 
• Other Paint:  Any other paint medium that is not synthetic is compatible with encaustic.  Oil sticks are convenient to use.  Pastel, graphite, and charcoal are also usable.
• Ephemera A variety of papers and thin fabrics will come in handy for collage.  Magazine paper is not a good choice because of the hard finish.  Washi (Japanese papers), handmade paper, tissue paper, gauze, cheesecloth and old papers or anything of that type may be used. 

Jerry’s Artarama, http://www.jerrysartarama.com/
R& F Handmade Paint, http://www.rfpaints.com/
Cheap Joe's Art Stuff, http://www.cheapjoes.com

Materials fee: (payable to Pocosin Arts) –Workshop kit, including encaustic medium, beeswax and pigment: $60.00, additional wood panels will be available for about $5.00 each.

                NOTE:   If students already have encaustic supplies: bees wax, encaustic medium, pigment, please brings them as stated in materials to bring.  If not, Miss Jane Harrison can provide them for the listed price of $60.00.  Please just let us know in advance so proper arrangements can be made.

Visit Jane Wells Harrison's website...

www.janewellsharrison.com

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

• Basic hand building tools (any that you have and want to bring in addition to those listed)
• Rubber ribs
• Misting bottle
• Straight pins
• Mirror
• Banding wheel
• Ware boards (12x12" suggested size)
• Plastic dry cleaner bags
• Small and large sponges
• Boxes, plastic, foam, etc. to take work home
• Wooden spoon/paddle
  

http://www.kirstenstingle.blogspot.com/