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.
- Making Pottery: Developing Your Sense of Touch - FULL
2019-CER-07
July 18 - 23, 2019
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
$485+ $45 Materials Fee
All levels welcomeDescription
What are the elements that contribute to the character of a pot? How do you develop them to make them your own? This is a workshop for developing your pottery as an expressive art form. The class will include instruction of different ways for making pots, using throwing and altering techniques. Students will bring 10 pieces of bisqueware to fire in an atmospheric soda kiln. Ideas and information for surface treatments and firing techniques will be discussed and shared. Presentations of the artist’s work and contemporary ceramics will complement this hands-on experience. Some wheel experience needed.
Instructor
Josh DeWeese
Josh DeWeese is a ceramic artist and educator, currently an Associate Professor of Art teaching ceramics at Montana State University in Bozeman. DeWeese served as Resident Director of the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana from 1992-2006. He holds an MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred. He has exhibited and taught workshops internationally and his work is included in numerous public and private collections.
See more at www.joshdeweese.com
- Expressive Sculpture with Slab & Coil
2019-CER-08
July 19 - 21, 2019
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$265+ $35 Materials Fee
All levels welcomeDescription
This workshop will focus on developing and strengthening personal expression in combining hand-building techniques and texturing for playful experimentation in basic construction for sculpture. Discussions will be encouraged concerning historical influences as well as timely modern day occurences. How do we make our pieces more expressive? Work will be bisqued as possible and participants may return for glazing. All levels welcome.
Instructor
Tania Kravath
Tania Kravath works in clay and bronze and exhibits at the Ceres Gallery in New York City. She maintains studios in Manhattan and in West Hurley, NY. She was an art educator in New York City for 30 years. Most of her work is wood-fired and explores the connection between form and emotion and explores themes of relationship and community.
See more at www.ceresgallery.com
- Flashing & Fuming: Special Effects with Raku & Salt Firing - FULL
2019-CER-09
July 25 - 30, 2019
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
$485+ $48 Materials Fee
All levels welcome
Ages: 15+Description
Back by Popular Demand! Randy and Don are two of the most respected and entertaining ceramic instructors working today. They have incredible energy and passion in their teaching and all with amazing humor that reaches students on many different levels. They will demonstrate new techniques to produce special effects on sculptural and functional work. Explore shape, form, and function to gain a new level of understanding alternative firing techniques. Bring 10 to 15 pieces of bisqueware that are made from Cone 10 clay—stoneware or porcelain, as the class will fire the salt and raku kilns. All levels welcome—ages 15 & up.
Instructor
Randy Brodnax & Don Ellis
Randy Brodnax is currently teaching at Cedar Valley College, Dallas, TX. A dedicated teacher and storyteller, Brodnax is known to cook up a mean gumbo and an entertaining yarn while making beautiful pots. A master Raku potter for more than 50 years, he has been featured in countless books and magazines and has given hundreds of workshops.
Don Ellis is currently Assistant Professor of Ceramics at San Juan College in Farmington, NM, and has been a ceramics educator since 1986. He is known as a master of Raku and Copper Matte glazes and has spent over 20 years mastering his special techniques. His work is featured in Alternative Kilns and Firing and Mastering Raku.
- Exploring Color For Decoration: Mid-Range to Low Fire
2019-CER-10
August 1 - 5, 2019
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
$435+ $35 Materials Fee
All levels welcomeDescription
This color-intensive workshop will allow you to explore ways to create bright and colorful designs and snappy surface embellishment through the use of underglazes, majolica, China paint, lustre, and decals. Develop a personal statement that makes your work unique through the exploration of patterning, line and color. Explore ways to make your work unique through Patterning, line & color.
We will practice the traditional technique of Majolica and then move on to China paint and luster which are methods of adding decoration to a glaze fired surface and then refiring.This allows the use of metallics like gold, silver, and copper for fine lines and patterning, as well as bright enameled colors that can enhance and highlight your existing glaze. We will make pieces during the workshop but students should bring 5 to 8 bisque and glaze -fired work to paint; you may bring either earthenware, stoneware or porcelain pieces. Through exercises and projects we will develop facility with the materials. This class is appropriate for handbuilders or wheel potters. All levels are welcome but some clay experience is necessary.
Instructor
Kate Missett
Kate Missett is a ceramic artist who uses many different color techniques in her sculptural vessels. She is the Visual Arts Director at West Side YMCA and teaches at Greenwich House Pottery. Her work is represented by Carter Burden Gallery in NYC. She has taught and exhibited nationally.
See more at www.katemissett.com and www.persimmontree.org/v2
- Altered Forms & Textured Surfaces
2019-CER-11
August 8 - 13, 2019
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
$475+ $45 Materials Fee
All levels welcomeDescription
This hands-on workshop will focus on inventive ways to approach form & surface of utilitarian pottery. Play and experimentation will be primary goals as participants slice,dice, bend, fold, stamp & decorate their way towards a new vocabulary of useful forms. Demonstrations will include throwing,darting, stamp making, slip trailing and more. Participants will take home Cone 6 fired pots at the end as well as an arsenal of new texture tools. Students should bring sketches/source material of form and surface ideas. Some wheel throwing experience is needed.
Instructor
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen received her BFA from the University of Alaska and her MFA from Indiana University. In 2008 the National Council for Education in Ceramic Art recognized her as an “Emerging Artist”. Among other awards she was a receipient of a Taunt Fellowship at The Archie Bray Foundation. She currently teaches at West Virginia University.
See more at www.jenniferallenceramics.com
- The Multi-Layered Surface for Mid-Range Firing
2019-CER-12
August 15 - 20, 2019
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
$475+ $45 Materials Fee
All levels welcomeDescription
During this workshop we will focus on developing surface composition by layering underglazes and glaze directly onto leatherhard clay. Custom paper and reusable die-cut vinyl stencils will be used to create layered patterns, shapes, and detailed imagery. Students will be able to explore these techniques directly onto their own wheel-thrown or hand-built surfaces. The techniques and materials used during this workshop have the flexibility to be fired to any temperature/atmosphere. The work will be glaze fired to Cone 6 electric. Some wheel experience is necessary.
Instructor
Renee LoPresti
Born and raised in Northwestern New Jersey, Renee LoPresti holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and currently works as a studio potter in residence at Eye of the Dog Art Center in San Marcos, TX. Renee was named one of Ceramics Monthly’s Emerging Artists in 2017. She shows her work through numerous national juried and invitational exhibitions.
See more at www.instagram.com/renee lopresti
- 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 welcomeDescription
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 welcomeDescription
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 welcomeDescription
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 welcomeDescription
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 welcomeDescription
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.
Mosaics
- Magical Mixed Media Mosaics
2019-CER-14
August 2 - 4, 2019
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
$275
All levels welcome
Ages: 14+Description
In this hands-on workshop you will learn how make an abstract mosaics with tiles you create using polymer clay. We will cover a variety of techniques, including stamping, image transfer, painting, and gold leafing. You’ll also learn how to embellish glass tiles and transfer images onto clay and mosaic, incorporating beads, fabric and other found objects. You’ll combine all materials—glass, clay and beads—into an abstract mosaic that does not need to be grouted. You will leave with a beautiful piece! This class is open to students at all levels ages 14 and up.
Instructor
Amy Marks
Amy Marks has been creating mixed media mosaics and wearable art for the last 10 years, she was a founding member and first President of the New England Mosaics Society. She studied with many distinguished mosiac artists and her work has been juried into many exhibitions across the Northeast. She has taught widely and her work can be found in numerous museum gift shops as well as other venues.
See more at www.amymarksmosaics.com
Jewelry
- Gorgeous Hand-Made Bracelets Session I: Twisted, Beaded & Braided
2019-JE-01
August 16, 2019
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$80
All levels welcome
Ages: 14+Description
Come and play with beads! Explore several techniques using cord and beads. A few simple macramé knots can make a variation of a wrap bracelet, a long necklace with a tassel or a delicate knotted bracelet. Braiding with beads and waxed linen can yield a very uniform and precise look, but if a more free-form braid is used - beads may be used in profusion or sparingly to create unique designs. All Levels welcome- ages 14 to adult. Supply list to be sent after registration.
Instructor
Marsha Davis
Marsha Davis is a professional jewelry instructor with over 20 years of experience teaching beaded jewelry ranging from pearl knotting and stringing to seed beadwork to macramé, crochet, and weaving. She has been on the faculty of The 92nd Street Y Jewelry Center since 2000, teaching four classes per week, and previously for The Craft Students League. Ms Davis has also taught workshops for The American Craft Museum, Museum of Art and Design, The American Museum of Natural History, Newark Museum Arts Workshop and numerous other venues in the NYC area. She has had one of her designs published in The Art of Beaded Beads (2006) Lark Books.
- Gorgeous Hand-Made Bracelets Sessions I-III: Take All Three Sessions and Save!
2019-JE-04
August 16 - 18, 2019
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$225
All levels welcome
Ages: 14+Description
ALL THREE SESSIONS OF GORGEOUS HAND-MADE BRACELETS
Session I: Twisted, Beaded & Braided
August 16, 2019 Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Come and play with beads! Explore several techniques using cord and beads. A few simple macramé knots can make a variation of a wrap bracelet, a long necklace with a tassel or a delicate knotted bracelet. Braiding with beads and waxed linen can yield a very uniform and precise look, but if a more free-form braid is used - beads may be used in profusion or sparingly to create unique designs. All Levels welcome- ages 14 to adult. Supply list to be sent after registration.
Session II: The Wrap Bracelet
August 17, 2019 Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
This fashionable bracelet is a must have! Design a custom-made wrap bracelet using leather cord and a selection of beads. Explore creating a wider cuff for a striking look. All Levels Welcome – ages 14 to adult. Participants may bring their own materials if they wish.
Session III: Free-Form Beaded Bracelets
August 18, 2019 Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Explore the creative potential of combining several seed bead stitches while creating a one of a kind bracelet. Each stitch used will be reviewed through demonstration and handouts. Closures will be also demonstrated. Proper measuring for a good fit will be covered so that students will have all the necessary information to complete their bracelets on their own. An assortment of supplies will be available to supplement those on the Supply List which will be sent after registration. All levels welcome, ages 14 & up.Instructor
Marsha Davis
Marsha Davis is a professional jewelry instructor with over 20 years of experience teaching beaded jewelry ranging from pearl knotting and stringing to seed beadwork to macramé, crochet, and weaving. She has been on the faculty of The 92nd Street Y Jewelry Center since 2000, teaching four classes per week, and previously for The Craft Students League. Ms Davis has also taught workshops for The American Craft Museum, Museum of Art and Design, The American Museum of Natural History, Newark Museum Arts Workshop and numerous other venues in the NYC area. She has had one of her designs published in The Art of Beaded Beads (2006) Lark Books.
- Gorgeous Hand-Made Bracelets Session II: The Wrap Bracelet
2019-JE-02
August 17, 2019
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$80
All levels welcome
Ages: 14+Description
This fashionable bracelet is a must have! Design a custom-made wrap bracelet using leather cord and a selection of beads. Explore creating a wider cuff for a striking look. All Levels Welcome – ages 14 to adult. Participants may bring their own materials if they wish.
Instructor
Marsha Davis
Marsha Davis is a professional jewelry instructor with over 20 years of experience teaching beaded jewelry ranging from pearl knotting and stringing to seed beadwork to macramé, crochet, and weaving. She has been on the faculty of The 92nd Street Y Jewelry Center since 2000, teaching four classes per week, and previously for The Craft Students League. Ms Davis has also taught workshops for The American Craft Museum, Museum of Art and Design, The American Museum of Natural History, Newark Museum Arts Workshop and numerous other venues in the NYC area. She has had one of her designs published in The Art of Beaded Beads (2006) Lark Books.
- Gorgeous Hand-Made Bracelets Session III: Free-Form Beaded Bracelets
2019-JE-03
August 18, 2019
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$80
All levels welcome
Ages: 14+Description
Explore the creative potential of combining several seed bead stitches while creating a one of a kind bracelet. Each stitch used will be reviewed through demonstration and handouts. Closures will be also demonstrated. Proper measuring for a good fit will be covered so that students will have all the necessary information to complete their bracelets on their own. An assortment of supplies will be available to supplement those on the Supply List which will be sent after registration. All levels welcome, ages 14 & up.
Instructor
Marsha Davis
Marsha Davis is a professional jewelry instructor with over 20 years of experience teaching beaded jewelry ranging from pearl knotting and stringing to seed beadwork to macramé, crochet, and weaving. She has been on the faculty of The 92nd Street Y Jewelry Center since 2000, teaching four classes per week, and previously for The Craft Students League. Ms Davis has also taught workshops for The American Craft Museum, Museum of Art and Design, The American Museum of Natural History, Newark Museum Arts Workshop and numerous other venues in the NYC area. She has had one of her designs published in The Art of Beaded Beads (2006) Lark Books.
Fiber Arts
- Fabulous Felting for Family & Home
2019-WE-05
August 9 - 11, 2019
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$250
All levels welcome
Ages: 12+Description
Felting is an ancient heritage craft that has produced thousands of years of useful and necessary goods, helping to create warm and comforting homes. Using basic wool working skills this felting workshop will take us from raw fleece to finished products. We will teach our hands to really feel the changes within the wool while learning four felting techniques. Washing, picking, carding and dyeing with plants. With our felt, we will make a variety of projects individualized to meet specific needs. Basic design and stitching on felt will all be covered. All skill levels welcome. Ages 12 years to adult.
Instructor
Amelia McIsaac and Susannah White
Amelia McIsaac (Flowering Heart Homestead) and Susannah White (Carapace Farm Puppetry) have been making felt for decades.They work with fleece from their own family flock to create felt objects for children and families that reflect their respect for the craft and their love of the work. They enjoy sharing their enthusiasm with others.