Spring Eight-Week Concentration
March 8 – May 1, 2020
Workshops are open to serious students of all levels unless specified in course description; beginners welcome.
Clay Spring Concentration
March 8 – May 1, 2020
Jenny Mendes
Parts Unknown
The launching point for this workshop will be an exploration of surfaces and a deep mining of personal content. Working primarily with low-fire clay, we’ll push the boundaries of the material through explorations of form and narrative. Experimentation with slips, underglazes, terra sigilatta, and different firings will lead students to develop unique bodies of work. Using Penland’s landscape as genius loci, visiting sculptor Hester Pilz will collaborate with students for two weeks as we discover how the spirit of the landscape can inform our work. All levels. Code S00CA
Studio artist; teaching: Arrowmont (TN), Santa Fe Clay, West Dean College (UK), Penland; Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowships; former Penland resident artist, other residencies in France, Slovenia, Macedonia, Turkey, Serbia, The Netherlands, Latvia; exhibitions: The Clay Studio (Philadelphia), ClayAkar (IA), Old Church (NJ), TRAX Gallery (CA).
Glass Spring Concentration
March 8 – May 1, 2020
Dan Mirer
Intentions & Inventions
In this design-based workshop, students will pursue the creation of thoughtful objects. Assignments will lead to material research and problem solving with the larger goal of developing an innovative vocabulary of techniques. Along with blowing and forming on the pipe, moldblowing will be an important aspect of the workshop. We’ll cover mold design and tooling, exploring the use of wood, plaster, graphite, metal, rubber, and wax. These projects will enable less experienced students to create distinctive works while posing challenging opportunities for more advanced students. While our work will be centered in the hot shop, students will be encouraged to use the cold, kiln, and flame studios in creating their work. Guest instructor Peter Drobny will join us for a week. All levels. Code S00GA
Studio artist; teaching: Corning (NY), UrbanGlass (NYC), Alfred University (NY), Snow Farm (MA), Pilchuck (WA), Toledo Museum (OH), Tyler School of Art (PA); residencies: UrbanGlass, Corning, Toledo Museum, Museum of Glass (WA).
Video of some recent work kinetic/musical glass work by Dan Mirer.
Iron Spring Concentration
March 8 – May 1, 2020
Andy Dohner
Attention to Detail
In this workshop you’ll learn the fundamentals of working with hot metal. From forging to fabricating, beginning and experienced metalworkers will learn to transform their ideas into well-crafted objects. Using drawings, maquettes, and layout skills, we’ll troubleshoot design and develop an eye for detail as we create functional and sculptural objects. Along with all aspects of forging, we’ll cover multiple cold-working processes, welding, and fabrication methods. Topics will include project planning, tapering, isolating mass, joinery, and surface applications. Students should be prepared to work hard and have fun as a group and independently. Blacksmith Logan Hirsh will join us for a week as guest instructor. All levels. Code S00I
Studio artist; teaching: Austin Community College (TX), Peters Valley (NJ), California Blacksmith Association, Appalachian Center for Craft (TN), New Agrarian School (MT), Penland; exhibitions: Metal Museum (Memphis), Madison Morgan Cultural Center (GA), Toe River Arts (NC).
Metals Spring Concentration
March 8 – May 1, 2020
Suzanne Pugh
Wunderkammer
We’ll take a journey of deep investigation into metal fabrication and forming techniques—with a detour into lost-wax casting—as we pursue perfect, odd, and perfectly odd objects. Students will follow individual but guided investigations as they make objects of curiosity: containers, small sculptures, belt buckles, and other specimens to fill their metaphorical cabinets of wonder. Technical information will include soldering, cold connections, scoring and bending, simple raising, hydraulic forming, stone setting, chasing and repoussé, and lost-wax casting. Lola Brooks will join us for a week to share her expertise in fabricating hollow forms over an investment core. Expect to finish many pieces during these eight weeks while staying open to experimentation and play. All levels. Note: This studio has steps that compromise accessibility. Code S00MA
Studio artist; teaching: former associate professor and head of metals at City College of San Francisco, University of Georgia Cortona Program (Italy), Peters Valley (NJ), Metalwerx (MA); exhibitions: Velvet da Vinci (CA), Five Pins Project (CA), HYART Gallery (WI), work published in The Metalsmith’s Book of Boxes and Lockets and Chasing and Repoussé (both Brynmorgen Press).
Photo Spring Concentration
March 8 – May 1, 2020
Mercedes Jelinek
Processing Process
This workshop will take students on a circular journey through photographic processes, from analog to digital and back again. We’ll cover large-format camera use, film developing, and traditional darkroom printing. Then we’ll explore the basics of digital photography and make archival inkjet prints from digital images and film scans. We’ll complete the loop by making digitally-printed negatives for use with historic, hand-coated printing processes. We’ll also cover still life, street photography, portraiture, landscape and architectural photography, composition, lighting, night photography, digital workflow, digital editing with Lightroom and/or Photoshop, archiving, and more. Guest instructor Dan Estabrook will join us for a week. All levels. Code S00P
NOTE: This workshop has a studio fee of $500.
Fine art and commercial photographer; teaching: Appalachian State University (NC), East Carolina University Italy Intensives Program, Penland; former Penland resident artist; exhibitions: Ogden Museum (New Orleans), SoHo Photo (NYC), Page Bond Gallery (VA), Satellite Art Show at Art Basel Miami; author of These Americans and Lost: Spruce Pine (both Kris Graves Projects).
Print & Letterpress Spring Concentration
March 8 – May 1, 2020
Jamie Karolich
Print/Process/Production
In this workshop students will be exposed to many methods of letterpress printing, including hand-set type, polymer plate printing, die cutting, wood and linoleum relief printing, and experimental techniques such as pressure printing. The workshop will be front-loaded with technical information and small projects, allowing students to spend the second month on self-guided projects using the techniques learned. We’ll take field trips to visit nearby printers, and Margot Ecke will join us for a week as our guest instructor. Students can expect to leave with a new and diverse portfolio of prints. All levels. Code S00L
Print production manager at Power and Light Press (NM); exhibitions: Light Studios (NM), El Sol (NM), At Work (IN), PLAY (NC), Printed (KY); residencies: Arrowmont (TN), Wells College (NY), Western New Mexico University (NM), smART Kinston (NC), Penland Core Fellowship.
Textiles Spring Concentration
March 8 – May 1, 2020
Erika Diamond
Inside/Out: Garment as Identity
Clothing is our everyday costume, revealing and concealing what lies beneath. From fabric to form, our personal style reflects who we are inside—our fears, our beliefs, and our pride. During this workshop, students will learn basic sewing techniques and various methods of garment construction, and we’ll cover hand and machine stitching, embellishment, and off-loom techniques. We’ll also work collaboratively to deconstruct and experiment with found materials, finding new ways to wear what we are. Steven Frost will join us for a week as guest instructor. All levels. NOTE: Textiles workshops are taught in walk-up studios accessible by a stair lift. Code S00TA
Studio artist, director of galleries at Chautauqua Institution (NY); teaching:Virginia Commonwealth University, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (CO); residencies: McColl Center for Visual Art (NC), STARworks (NC), ABK Weaving Center (WI); exhibitions/commissions: Dorsky Gallery (NYC), Marta Hewett Gallery (OH), Fiberart International 2019 (PA), costumes for Charlotte Ballet (NC).
