Karen Orsillo: Neriage: The Art of Layering Colored Clay
In this hands-on workshop students will learn the Japanese technique of Neriage, the art of making, layering and using colored clay to enhance thrown and hand-built work. Students will make several patterned blocks as the foundation for a variety of pattern possibilities. Using slices from the patterned blocks, Karen will demonstrate slab construction and forming methods as well as inlay, solid construction, laminating and gradations. Students should bring: basic clay tools, rubber gloves, a respirator or dust mask, towel and apron. Karen has been working in clay for 30 years after receiving a BFA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1977. Currently she is working mainly with colored porcelain to make pots and jewelry and teaching part time in the BFA program at the New Hampshire Institute of Art in Manchester.
Saturday January 19th 1-5PM $60

Abby Huntoon: Creating Functional Ware with Soft Slabs

Creating Functional Ware with Soft Slabs
Abby Huntoon has been working in clay for 35 years. She has an MFA and received an NEA grant in 1988. Many of those years were devoted to working with slabs to make everything from large architectural sculptures to functional pieces. Working with soft slabs is a quick and freeing method for creating functional ware. During the workshop several techniques will be demonstrated and participants will have an opportunity to make a piece of their own. Participants do not have to bring anything special unless they want to bring ideas for pieces they wish to create.
Saturday January 26th 1-5PM $60

Jennifer Swarts: How to Market Your Art

While as artists we thrive on the creation of our art, the need to sell it in order to make more soon becomes monumental. Jen will help workshop participants focus on how to get their art to the public. Students should bring pencils and paper, work samples and any marketing materials such as pictures, information or brochures that you currently use to sell your work. Jen is a graduate of Boston University and has more than 20 years experience marketing art and other product lines. She is an exhibiting metalsmith and through her company, By the Bay Designs, she markets her jewelry and designer handbags.
Saturday February 9th 1-3 PM $45.00

Peter Jones: Tight Lids and Full Bellies

This class will not be about a snooze after a big meal, but rather about the many different styles of lids that can be made for different types of pots. This will include covers, domed lids, split- rim flanged lids, teapot lids and one-piece thrown covered jars. Handles are, of course, an integral part of a good lid and different methods of creating them will be shown as well. Throwing large, full- bellied pots will also be covered. Techniques for expanding the body while keeping the rim and foot of the pot narrow will be demonstrated as well as other large forms. Peter will be our featured artist for the month of March. Come see his work.

Saturday March 15th 1-5PM $60

Laurie Adams: Paste Papers and Handmade Books

This is an all day workshop. Students will create paste paper and then use that paper to make folio books. Laurie will be the gallery’s featured artist for the month of April. Laurie graduated from Bennington College with a major in architecture and art history and was a professional full time potter for 42 years before exploring book arts. Students should wear old clothes or an apron to this workshop, bring a lunch and expect to have fun!

Saturday April 12th 9AM-4PM $80

Jonathan White: Mold Making for the Potter

Jon White will be demonstrating the making of single and multiple piece molds for the production of press and slip-cast ceramic wares. Students should bring notebooks and any mold related questions they would like answered. Jon has a BFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design and has been a self-employed potter since 1995. This will be an entertaining and informative experience for the novice and advanced ceramicist alike.
Saturday May 31st 1-5PM $60

Chris Archer: Moving Beyond the Jar: Glaze Formulation at Cone 5/6

Chris will discuss basic glaze chemistry and glaze formulation processes for potters working at cone 5/6. He will demonstrate how to make triaxial blends, line blends, how to use a triple beam scale, and discuss safety considerations for working with glaze materials. This is the perfect workshop for high school teachers who wish to move beyond opening a jar of glaze for their students and for those studio potters who always wanted to develop their own signature glazes. Chris teaches at the New Hampshire Institute of Art and is an exhibiting artist.
Saturday July 26th 1-5PM $60

Tacha Vosburgh: Painting the Fire - Sagger Firing and Terra Sigillata

Serendipity – the by-word of pots licked by flame to bring out wondrous colors and effects on the clay surface. Students will need to bring a bisque fired pot, no larger than a soup bowl to fire. We will learn how to work with Terra Sigillata and the sagger fire process. Tacha received her BFA from the Maine College of Art and has been teaching workshops, doing glaze and firing research and exhibiting since 1975. She has also had her work published in American Crafts, Ceramics: Art and Perception and in Pomegranates, Mirrors & Meanings: Ruminations on the Women’s Clay Movement.
Saturday August 9th 1-5PM $60

Yugi Yasui: Livin' Large - Creating Monumental Forms on the Wheel

Japanese potter Yugi Yasui will share throwing techniques for creating monumental pieces.

Saturday September 13th 1-5PM $60

Christina Taylor: Precious Metal Clay Jewelry

Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is a putty-like mix of silver powder, water and a binder. The clay like quality of the mixture makes it possible to create real silver jewelry in a matter of hours. PMC can be molded, textured and layered with simple tools. The work is then fired in a kiln where the water and binder are driven off to leave a unique object that is 100% pure silver. Learn the basics of working with this amazing material by creating pendants, charms, beads and findings that will be assembled into finished pieces. Christina has a BFA from The Savannah College of Art and Design, is a bench jeweler for a prominent Portland gallery and designs and markets her own line of jewelry.
Saturday September 20th 1-5PM $60

Woody Hughes

Woody Hughes is a nationally recognized artist and we are pleased to have him again in our studio for a glaze application technique and materials workshop. Woody received his BFA from Alfred University and an MFA from Kansas City Art Institute. Bring a low-fire bisque pot and take an adventure in glazing using a variety of application techniques. Woody will be the Featured Artist in our gallery for October.
Saturday October 25th 1-5PM $60

Blue Butterfield: Finding Depth: Creating Sculptural Tile

The workshop will cover creating a sculptural images in clay by using carved plaster blocks, layering techniques and direct carving techniques. Students should bring one or more design ideas or images that they are interested in creating. Students will work on one, possibly two tiles, during the workshop. Students should bring studio tools for carving, two leather hard clay tiles made without grog and preferably from a non-white clay, approximately 6” by 6” and at least a 1/4” thick and some thinner slabs of the same clay for layering. If you have small pieces of sheetrock to work on would it would be helpful.
Saturday November 8th 1-5PM $60

Visiting Artist Workshop Series

Portland Pottery is proud to present Our Annual Series of Weekend Workshops presented by a collection of some of our most talented and gifted local potters and artists. These workshops will be full of useful information, tips and helpful techniques. The workshops will be held on various Saturdays of each month at the Portland Pottery & Metalsmithing Studio. Workshops will be hands-on and participants should have some clay experience.