Summer workshop offering for K-12 Art Educators
July 19 – 23 – $15 per session
Join teaching artists Martha Grover, Reeder Fahnestock, Liz Proffetty and Malley Weber in Watershed’s new studio for a week of learning and exploring with clay. Each day-long workshop will provide Maine art educators with an opportunity to develop and refine clay-based skills that can be used in the classroom. Workshops will cover surface decoration, Raku firing, slip casting, mold-making, and altering forms. Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts is located in Newcastle, Maine.
Sign up for one workshop or join for all four!
Session I: Open Studio
Monday, July 19, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Enjoy a day of guided independent practice in Watershed’s new state-of-the-art studio! Teaching artists Liz Proffetty and Malley Weber will demonstrate surface decoration techniques to explore in your work and Studio Manager Reeder Fahnestock will provide a tour of the facility. You’ll have the option to work on the wheel and/or experiment with hand building. Clay and glaze materials will be provided.
Session II: Techniques for Altering Forms
Tuesday, July 20, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Discover the idiosyncrasies of working with porcelain on and off the wheel as guest instructor Martha Grover demonstrates how to make her signature undulating functional forms. Working with a variety of bottomless wheel-thrown forms and slabs in both the soft and leather-hard stages, Martha will demonstrate various altering techniques and additions of slabs, handles, and spouts to create an assortment of functional forms. Forms will include cups, bowls, vases, pitchers, lidded forms, and baskets. The session will include demonstrations and hands-on studio time with support from Martha. Clay will be provided.
Session III: Raku Firing #1
Wednesday, July 21, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Join Watershed Studio Manager Reeder Fahnestock to experience the drama of Raku. The small group of six participants will fire Watershed’s new commercial propane-fired kiln and learn about the steps needed for a successful Raku firing.
During the workshop, Watershed staff will be available to talk about options for bringing students to Watershed for a Raku experience during the 2021-2022 school year.
Please bring 6 -10 small to medium sized bisque pieces of work to fire. Watershed will provide glazes.
Participants are encouraged to view Watershed’s new Raku video and review the guidelines for Raku firing at Watershed.
This session is limited to six participants. We want to offer the opportunity to participate in a Raku firing for as many as possible. If you already registered for the Friday Raku firing, please do not sign up for this one as well.
Session IV: Plaster Molds & Slip Casting
Thursday, July 22, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Learn to make one-piece plaster and bisque molds to be used for decorating and embellishing ceramic objects, or simply as objects themselves. Session leader and Watershed Studio Manager Reeder Fahnestock will discuss how to select or make objects from which multiples can be reproduced in clay; how to prepare objects to be molded; how to prepare clay for use as mold material; how to mix and pour plaster for mold making; as well as how to make, and then use, the molds.
Participants should bring one or two small items from which they think they might want to make a mold. Reed will discuss the suitability of the objects with participants. Objects will also be on hand from which participants may make molds. This should be considered a hands-on workshop and participants may anticipate taking several molds home with them.
Session V: Raku Firing #2
Friday, July 23, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Join Watershed Studio Manager Reeder Fahnestock to experience the drama of Raku. The small group of six participants will fire Watershed’s new commercial propane-fired kiln and learn about the steps needed for a successful Raku firing.
During the workshop, Watershed staff will be available to talk about options for bringing students to Watershed for a Raku experience during the 2021-2022 school year.
Please bring 6 -10 small to medium sized bisque pieces of work to fire. Watershed will provide glazes.
Participants are encouraged to view Watershed’s new Raku video and review the guidelines for Raku firing at Watershed.
This session is limited to six participants. We want to offer the opportunity to participate in a Raku firing for as many as possible. If you already registered for the Wednesday Raku firing, please do not sign up for this one as well.
Workshop Details (for all sessions)
- Payment for workshops is due online with registration. Watershed can provide you with a receipt to submit for reimbursement.
- Watershed will offer a light breakfast and lunch during the workshops. Food will be individually served outside under tents.
- Dinners and overnight accommodations on campus will not be available. Participants will be responsible for dinners and arranging their own overnight accommodations.
- See our FAQs for a list of area lodging options.
- Watershed will provide proof of contact hours for participants.
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