Studio arts programs run during the summer months. They include weekend workshops and weekly classes in ceramics, mosaics, painting, weaving, and fiber arts, led by artists who are nationally known in their fields.
Ceramics
- Basics & Beyond Weekly Class
2019-CER-01
June 26 - August 28, 2019
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
$250+ $35 Materials Fee
All levels welcome
Ages: 14+
Description
This weekly class will focus on learning techniques for making pots on the potters wheel. Students will be taught at their own level and class projects will be encouraged. Different types of surface treatment will be taught as well as slip decorations, trimming, glazing and finishing. Altering techniques to make oval or square forms will also be covered. All levels welcome, ages 14+.
Instructor
Susan Bogen
Susan Bogen is a Studio Potter maintaining studios in NJ and the Catskill Mountains. She has taught ceramics at The Art School at the Old Church, Demarest, NJ for over 15 years. Susan works in both porcelain and stoneware. She has exhibited in various national juried shows. Her work is currently in many galleries & shops.
- Clay for Seniors Weekly Class - FULL
2019-CER-02
June 26 - August 28, 2019
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
$175+ $45 Materials Fee
All levels welcome
Ages: 65+
Description
This class is being offered to senior citizens living in the Mountain Top area who have all levels of experience handbuilding with clay. The class will focus on different hand-building techniques that will appeal to all skill levels. Come and learn to make special projects while enjoying this supportive & friendly atmosphere. Decorating and glazing will also be taught. All skill levels, age 65 and up.
Instructor
Susan Beecher
Susan Beecher is a nationally recognized studio potter whose work has appeared in more than 80 national juried shows over the past 28 years. She has taught workshops and weekly classes at art centers throughout the Northeast, Florida and California. Her work has appeared in many articles and eight books. A book exploring her work was published by Catskill Press: Susan Beecher: Wood Fired Pottery.
See more at www.susanbeecherpottery.com.
- Creating with Colored Clay: Simple & Exciting Ways to Enhance Cone 6 Work - FULL
2019-CER-13
August 22 - 26, 2019
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
$475+ $25 + $40 Colored Clay Fee payable to Instructor Materials Fee
All levels welcome
Description
This unique workshop will provide you with all the information you need to make glorious pieces with colored clay and slips, adding special interest to your Cone 6 process. Demonstrations will cover how to color clay and easily blend secondary colors and slips. We will create patterned canes along with colored images to use in your work. This class is mainly focused on hand-building but methods of incorporating colored clays into thrown pieces will also be demonstrated and there will be throwing assistance if needed. Students will purchase 1 lb. each of the following colors: Robins egg blue, pink, yellow, blue, Bermuda and Green, directly from the instructor for a fee of $40. Work will be bisque fired and a Cone 6 glaze firing will be unloaded on the last day. Some clay experience necessary.
Instructor
Chris Campbell
Chris Campbell has been a Studio Potter in Raleigh, NC since 1991. Her career in color began after she attended a workshop taught by Jane Peiser, a famous North Carolina colored clay artist. For over 25 years she has been creating her work using her own custom colored porcelain. Her experiments with color blending, hand building techniques and pattern making have defined her style. Her Artwork is included in the collections of the SAS Institute, North Carolina State University and “Clayworks” Australia.
See more at www.ccpottery.com.
Painting
- Abstract Expressionist Painting
2019-P-03
August 23 - 25, 2019
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$275
All levels welcome
Description
Set yourself free from traditional painting styles. Paint loose, paint free, paint from your spirit! Express your emotions with acrylic paints on canvas to create a visual poem. Learn composition, balance, color theory and styles of abstract painting such as layering, texturing, thick paint application versus washes, painting with mediums and finishes. We will be working on canvas and paper, so please bring at least a pack of small canvases and one large one and a pad of watercolor paper. Bring your assortment of acrylic paints and any paint brushes you might have as well as palette knives. A further list will be sent to you upon registration. All levels welcome, no experience necessary.
Instructor
Rita Schwab
Rita Schwab was born in Germany and came to the U.S. on a Fulbright Scholarship in 1973. She received her BFA from the University of South Florida and her Masters from Florida State University. She lives and works in Englewood, FL where she teaches and exhibits widely.
Learn more at www.ritaschwabfinearts.com
- Chinese Brush Painting Session II
2019-P-02
August 24 - 25, 2019
$195
All levels welcome
Ages: 15+
Description
Nature is the heart of Chinese Brush painting. It is intended to be a meditative and spontaneous art form, capturing the essence of an image or idea with very little attention to precise details. Come and learn the basics for this meditative art form. Using the “Four Treasures”—the brush, ink stick, ink stone and the paper—you will learn the techniques to create the “Two Gentlemen”—the bamboo and orchid. Each “Gentleman” introduces a new stroke or idea and reinforces techniques already learned. Continual demonstrations will be provided throughout the classes, along with individual attention. This class is appropriate for those ceramic makers who wish to have more decorating skills for their clay pieces. No experience necessary – ages 15 & up.
Instructor
Linda Schultz
Linda Schultz has an MS in Art Education and a Certificate of Completion from the prestigious Art Farm Gallery for Studies in Chinese Brush Painting. She has studied with Professor I-Hsuing Ju and Leigh Wen for more than 20 years. She has further studied Chinese Brush Painting with master painters in the city of Jan Ying, China. Her work is in many private collections and galleries. Linda teaches Chinese Brush painting privately and has given numerous demonstrations.
- Plein Air Painting in the Catskills
2019-P-04
September 6 - 8, 2019
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$295
All levels welcome
Description
This 3-day Plein Air Painting workshop is appropriate for beginners, intermediate and advanced landscape painters. The workshop will be enriched by the unique beauty of the Catskill Mountain views. Students will discover how to develop personalized sketches and studies from the foundations used by the Academy and the Hudson River School. American and European Impressionistic techniques will be discussed featuring illustrative and expressive brushstrokes. Focus will be on utilizing the student’s natural abilities to create a personalized visual narrative through this plein air experience studying the nature of art in nature. Students are free to work in oils, acrylic, pastel or watercolor. Students will receive: demonstrations & lectures; individualized guidance; one-on-one instruction; and personalized and group critique. Students need to bring their own supplies. A supply & materials list will be mailed after registration.
Instructor
Dmitri Wright
Dmitri Wright is the Master Artist/Instructor for Weir Farm National Historic Site, the National Park dedicated to American Impressionism. Wright, in the tradition of John Henry Twachtman, founder of the Cos Cob Art Colony, is the first artist-in-residence instructing and lecturing at the Greenwich Historic Society, the birthplace of American Impressionism. He instructs at Silvermine Art School and privately. In the U.S. and Europe he gives workshops and museum tours on “How to be an Impressionist” in addition to being a judge for art shows. Wright’s most recent solo exhibition was at the Mattatuck Museum Waterbury, CT, Fall 2017.
See more at www.dmitriwright.com
Weaving
- Surprisingly Simple Summer & Winter Weaving
2019-WE-03
August 23 - 25, 2019
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
$325
All levels welcome
Description
Summer and Winter is a simple-to-understand weave structure that yields beautiful, graphic geometric patterns in the cloth. In this hands-on 3-day weaving workshop, we will focus on understanding the simplicity and logic of its structure, so participants can easily go on to design their own beautiful Summer and Winter projects. The workshop is for a wide range of experience levels, from beginners who know the basics of drafting and intermediate weavers who are ready to explore. We will use a wealth of treadlings to explore texture and emphasize color use. Each participant will work at a pre-dressed floor or table loom. Students may bring their own loom if desired. Participants will receive instructions in advance of the workshop. And students may come to the Weaving Studio at Sugar Maples one day prior to the workshop in order to dress their looms.
Instructor
Sarah Saulson
Sarah Saulson lives in Syracuse, New York and has been handweaving since childhood. She teaches textiles in the School of Design at Syracuse University and at conferences and guilds nationally. She also has the privilege of working with traditional Mayan Handweavers to help them better their lives through weaving and dyeing.
Learn more about Sarah at www.sarahsaulson.com
- Basics & Beyond: Weekly Weaving Class Session II Weekly Class
2019-WE-02
August 29 - October 3, 2019
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Studio will remain open for extra work time
$165+ $45 Materials Fee
All levels welcome
Description
This is a project based class designed to teach students the mechanics of four-harness floor weaving. Students will learn how to plan a project, read a draft, dress a loom and be comfortable at their loom. Students will learn foundational techniques that will teach an understanding of the potential of the ancient and therapeutic art. Students will choose and complete several projects during the class as time permits, and be encouraged to work at their own level. No experience necessary. The studio will be open for extra work time.
Instructor
Laura Pierce
Laura Pierce was taught by Master Weaver Norma Ingles and has been weaving for 30 years. Inspired by nature, Laura enjoys weaving household textiles and wearables in a variety of fibers and sharing her knowledge with others.
