Online Programming

Penland Everywhere: Online Programming

Inspiring Artists  |  Expert Instructors  |  Creative Community

 

Our new series of online programming includes short online demonstrations and immersive online workshops. Join us to engage with Penland’s unique approach to teaching and learning in community—from wherever you are in the world, and wherever you are in your artistic journey!

Please see our Online Programming FAQ if you have questions or email onlineprograms@penland.org for further assistance.

 

Cristina Córdova—figurative ceramics

David H. Clemons—pewter vessels

Courtney Martin—handbuilt clay

Cristina photographed in her studio, Penland, NC
black ceramic sculpture of a head with ornate hair
Cristina Córdova, "Cabeza Negra," ceramic, metal, 16 x 10 x 6 inches

Cristina Córdova: studio artist; teaching: Haystack (ME), Anderson Ranch (CO), Santa Fe Clay, Penland; collections: Renwick Gallery (DC), Fuller Craft Museum (MA), Everson Museum (NY), Lowe Museum (FL), Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (Puerto Rico), Museo de Arte de Ponce (Puerto Rico), Mint Museum (NC), Society of Arts and Crafts (Boston), Alfred Ceramic Art Museum (NY), former Penland resident artist.

Online Demo
Cristina Córdova
A Simplified Way to Make a Hollow Head

In this prerecorded video demonstration I’ll show how to make a small head using clay slabs and a simple pattern that will help generate the primary shape, which I’ll develop through further modeling. I’ll touch on bone structure, features, and cleaning strategies. Then I’ll show you how to attach the head to a neck and bust, also created from templates, in order to play with the activation of gesture.
Suitable for all skill levels.

View equipment/materials list

Fee: $45. Participants will receive a materials list, any handouts, and the prerecorded demonstration video. They will have unlimited access to these materials for 30 days from date of purchase and can watch the demonstration as many times as they’d like during this period.

Cristina Córdova working on a ceramic head in the Penland clay studio
Cristina putting some finishing touches on a sculpted ceramic head
Online Workshop
Cristina Córdova
The Figure in Clay: Making a Hollow Figure Using Templates

In this online workshop, students will learn Cristina’s thoughtful approach to sculpting the human figure in clay.  More than four-and-half hours of high-quality prerecorded videos will give each participant a front row seat as Cristina transforms her material into a 25-inch head and torso ready to be bisqued—and will give them the tools they need to follow along step by step!

Video lessons will cover the construction and articulation of the hip area, upper torso, arms, hands, head, and neck. They will also cover how Cristina uses clay slabs, simple pattern templates, and photographic references to anchor her process and the anatomical concepts and modeling strategies she uses to facilitate accuracy and expression as all the components come together.

Sixty days of access to the workshop videos will give students ample time to watch, re-watch, and follow along with Cristina’s carefully presented process. In addition, students will gain access to Cristina’s materials list, templates, reference photos, and guidance on foundational skills like making clay slabs and slips.

This online workshop is perfect for anyone who is eager to dive deeply into figurative ceramics and work at their own pace using the tried-and-true methods of an expert instructor. Students of all skill levels will be able to engage with Cristina’s techniques with only minimal equipment and materials. Suitable for all skill levels. 

View equipment/materials list

Fee: $350. Participants will have access to this workshop’s prerecorded videos and associated materials for 60 days from date of purchase.

Cristina Córdova working on a ceramic torso in the Penland clay studio
Cristina working on a clay torso using the techniques shared in her online workshop

David H. Clemons

davidharperclemons.com  | @harperclemons

David photographed in his studio, Spruce Pine, NC
David H. Clemons, "Twiggy Sugar Bowl," cast and fabricated pewter, 4 x 3 x 3 inches

David Clemons: studio artist; teaching: University of Arkansas, Haystack (ME), Pocosin Arts (NC), Arrowmont (TN), Penland; Oregon College of Art and Craft residency; collections: Yale University Art Gallery (CT), Metal Museum (TN), Arkansas Art Center; exhibitions: Crafting Futures (NC), Wear (NC), Wearable Pewter (IL and Istanbul), Appetites and Objects (MD).

Online Demo
David H. Clemons
Just a Shake: Pewter Salt Shaker

This prerecorded video demonstration will cover the fabrication of a pewter salt shaker with compression lines. The shaker will be made through simple forming and fabricating techniques in 16-gauge sheet pewter. Hydraulic-press compression will create decorative details in the form of the shaker. The techniques shown in this demonstration are welding, soldering, hydraulic-press compression, drilling, refill port and stopper construction, and surface texturing. NOTE: This project does not require previous experience, but it does require access to metalworking tools.
Suitable for all skill levels. 

View equipment/materials list

Fee: $45.Participants will receive a materials list and the prerecorded demonstration video. They will have unlimited access to these materials for 30 days from date of purchase and can watch the demonstration as many times as they’d like during this period.

David hammering the body of his pewter salt shaker
David hammering the body of his salt shaker as it starts to take shape
Online Workshop
David H. Clemons
Lidded Pewter Spice Jar

Students will be invited into David’s methodical, nuanced, and refined approach to pewter in this online workshop. A series of eight prerecorded demonstrations will allow participants to follow along step-by-step as David brings together materials and techniques to transform 14-gauge sheet pewter into a dynamic lidded vessel. 

This workshop’s six hours of video lessons give each student the best seat in the house as David covers forming methods, fabrication using soldering and welding, surface treatments and texturing, and finishing techniques—as well as melting, casting, and simple mold construction using cuttlefish! Along the way, students will learn David’s tips, tricks, and strategies for working with this somewhat peculiar but highly responsive and compelling metal.

Sixty days of access to the workshop videos will give participants ample time to watch, re-watch, and follow along with David’s process as they get a feel for working with pewter in their own studios.

This online workshop allows participants to explore at their own pace and is perfect for anyone eager to expand their practice by incorporating pewter work or for those who would like to take a more thoughtful, detailed approach to vessel making. NOTE: This project does not require prior experience, but it does require access to metalsmithing tools.
Suitable for all skill levels. 

View equipment/materials list

Fee: $350
Participants will have access to this workshop’s video demonstrations and associated materials for 60 days from date of purchase.

David working on a lidded pewter jar in the Penland metals studio
David working on a lidded pewter jar in the Penland metals studio
Courtney photographed in her studio, Bakersville, NC
Courtney Martin, "Basket," wood-fired North Carolina stoneware, 15 x 13 x 13 inches

Courtney Martin: studio artist; teaching: Arrowmont (TN), Penland; exhibitions: solo show at Signature Shop (Atlanta), Smithsonian Craft Show (DC), Cousins in Clay (NC); representation: Signature Shop, Schaller Gallery (MI), Freehand (Los Angeles), Penland Gallery.

Online Demo
Courtney Martin
The Handled Tray

In this video I’ll demonstrate, from start to finish, how I make handled trays. I’ll show viewers how I roll slabs and attach coils of clay to build pots. I’ll refine the form, add handles, and then finish the pots with some decorative detailing when they are leather hard.
Suitable for all skill levels.

View equipment/materials list

Fee: $45. Participants will receive a materials list and the prerecorded demonstration video. They will have unlimited access to these materials for 30 days from date of purchase and can watch the demonstration as many times as they’d like during this period.

Courtney Martin, "Handled Tray," wood-fired North Carolina stoneware, 20 x 10 x 5 inches
Courtney Martin, "Handled Tray," wood-fired North Carolina stoneware, 20 x 10 x 5 inches
Online Workshop
Courtney Martin
Platters and Trays from Slabs and Coils

Experienced potters and beginners alike will enjoy up-close access to Courtney’s approach in this online clay workshop. Approximately seven hours of high-quality prerecorded videos will invite participants into each step of the handbuilding process, from preparing the clay to refining leather-hard forms in preparation for the bisque kiln.

Video lessons will start with foundational techniques like creating platters and trays with slabs and coils. From there, the videos will build to more advanced methods for adding height to forms and imbuing pieces with individuality and function through the addition of handles and feet. Throughout the lessons, Courtney will invite students to carefully consider the specific use and visual balance of each pot.

Sixty days of access to the workshop videos will give participants plenty of time to watch, re-watch, and follow along with Courtney as they explore these techniques in their own homes and studios. 

Students can be successful with these techniques with only a work table and minimal tools. The layered content makes the workshop perfect for those who are new to clay and looking for a welcoming way to engage with this material as well as experienced potters who would like to bring more sophisticated handbuilding techniques into their practice. Suitable for all skill levels.

View equipment/materials list

Fee: $350. Participants will have access to this workshop’s prerecorded videos and associated materials for 60 days from date of purchase.

Courtney demonstrating a handbuilt tray form in the Penland clay studio
Courtney demonstrating a handbuilt tray form in the Penland clay studio

Support

Penland’s new online programming initiatives are funded in part by a grant from South Arts with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. We are deeply grateful to both these organizations, as well as the many individual friends and supporters who have helped Penland adapt and deliver our mission in new ways this year.

South Arts logo
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation logo