2018 Courses

Studio arts programs run during the summer months. They include weekend workshops and weekly classes in ceramics and painting, led by artists who are nationally known in their fields.

Ceramics

• Basics & Beyond Weekly Class

  

  2018-CER-01
  June 27 - August 29, 2018
  1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  $250+ $45 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.

  Instructors

  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 and shops.

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• Clay for Seniors Weekly Class - FULL

  

  2018-CER-02
  June 27 - August 29, 2018
  9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  $165+ $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.

  Instructors

  Susan Beecher

  Susan Beecher is a nationally recognized studio potter whose work has appeared in more than 80 national juried shows over the past 27 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 8 books. A book exploring her work was published by Catskill Press: Susan Beecher: Wood Fired Pottery.

  See more at www.susanbeecherpottery.com.

• Strategies for Making Unique Pots

  

  2018-CER-11
  August 16 - 21, 2018
  9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  $475+ $48 Materials Fee
  Beginner.

  Description

  The primary goal of this workshop is to help individuals identify their unique voice with clay while improving their wheel throwing and surface decorating techniques.  This will be accomplished though slide talks, one-on-one critiques, demonstrations and hands-on making.  Emphasis will be on narrowing the variables that lead to your personal aesthetic by identifying the unifying themes in your work and learning how to carry these themes and details through a variety of forms, from simple cups and bowls to serving dishes and centerpieces. Work will be fired in the salt kiln. To facilitate making and firing in one week students are asked to bring 12 bisqueware pots of cone 10 stoneware or porcelain (mostly vertical forms, no bowls or plates please) for salt firing.  The course is suitable for beginning to advanced levels, some throwing experience necessary.

  Instructors

  Ben Krupka

  Ben Krupka is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Art Department at Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, MA. He received his MFA from Utah State University and BFA from Frostburg State University, MD. He has been a resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT and resident artist and fellow at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. His work and articles have been published in Ceramics Monthly, Clay Times, Pottery Making Illustrated as well as multiple books. Ben maintains a studio in Great Barrington, MA and exhibits his work nationwide at numerous galleries and art centers.

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Painting

• Plein Air Painting in the Catskills

  

  2018-CER-13
  September 7 - 9, 2018
  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 brush-strokes.  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, personalized and group critique. Students need to bring their own supplies. A supply & materials list will be mailed after registration.

  Instructors

  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

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Fiber Arts

• Introduction to Weaving - FULL

  

  2018-CER-15
  August 18 - 19, 2018
  10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Students may stay later if they wish
  $195+ $25 Materials Fee
  All levels welcome

  Description

  This workshop is designed to introduce the beginning weaver to the great joy of weaving on a four harness loom. You will learn about the many varieties of fiber that are used in this fascinating process. Participants will learn a selection of foundation techniques and patterns that will promote an understanding of the versatile potential of this most  ancient rhythmic art that may provide you with many hours of relaxed enjoyment. This workshop is appropriate for beginners or intermediate students. Participants will go home with a completed beautiful project.

  Instructors

  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.