Big Hands, Little Hands

Are you looking for a fun way to get your kids involved in arts and crafts? If you and your little ones aren't afraid to dig in and get your hands dirty we might have just the class for you! Check out the Big Hands, Little Hands workshop at Baltimore Clayworks Mt. Washington Studio.

This one-day workshop will explore the possibilities of clay for the pre-school age group. Adults will be paired with their young ones as they push, pinch, roll, squish and play with the clay. Process and product will be emphasized in this unique sensory experience, while the children build skills as well as a wonderful ceramic work of art! This class is for children ages 3 through 5, and adults of all ages. Class includes all materials and firing.

Saturday, April 16th 2:00 – 4:00pm

Members $60, Non-Members $85, addt'l participants $25

www.baltimoreclayworks.org

Adornment Adored

October 3rd – November 6th, 2009
Opening reception on Saturday, October 3rd, from 6 to 8 pm.
Admission is free.

Baltimore Clayworks hosts the exhibition Adornment Adored, a showcase of body ornamentation using clay and clay-like materials. This exhibition runs October 3rd – November 6th, 2009 with an opening reception on Saturday, October 3rd, from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is free. Adornment Adored , focuses on beautiful and exquisite jewelry made with ceramic, polymer clay or PMC elements. A diverse range of styles and voices on display for you to then take home and become your own personal art gallery!

(Image – Recycled Temporama China Necklace by BEST member, The Broken Plate Pendant Co.)

Inspired by Teapots

I've been attempting to give up my hot-chocolate habit. Yes, I know, there's nothing wrong with drinking a cup of hot cocoa on a cool winter's night, but really, hot cocoa everyday and twice on Sundays is a bit much even for a sweet tooth like me. So a couple of years ago I started to drink hot tea. Now, I'm hooked. There is nothing like the comfort a hot cup of tea held in chilled hands on a cool winter's evening. And, it's a great excuse to use a handmade mug (of which I've accumulated many over the years).

But what to do when a friend drops by? Tea for two requires a teapot and I haven't got one. So I headed over to Baltimore Clayworks last week in search of ideas. Their current exhibition, Teapots IV, is an eclectic collection of teapots ranging from the fully functional to the purely sculptural, from serious form studies to whimsical objects. I was inspired––both to drink more tea and to build teapots. They look like so much fun!

"The teapot is the quintessential ceramic enterprise. It is an aspiration to the novice, and a source of inspiration and consternation to the experienced clayworker," ––David McDonald, juror

Included Artists: David Austin (MI), Hadi Abbas (FL), Lorna Awalt (MD), Marc Barr (TN), Abigail Deneau (MI), Jim Dugan (MD), Jessica Dubin (NY), Delores Fortuna (IL), Yoshi Fujii(MD), Susan Greenleaf (DC), Jim Geletka (MD), Robert Garron (FL), Hsin-Yi Huang (OR), Matt Hyleck (MD) , Steve Hilton (TX), Judi Tavill (NJ), Elizabeth Keller (SC), Judith King (FL), Susan Kent (PA), Jon McMillian (IL), Joyce Nagata (PA), Crystal Pillsbury (FL), Roberta Polfus (IL), Collette Smith (MD), Gary Slavinsky (MD), Lauren Sandler (PA), Rebekah Strickland(GA) , Joy Tanner (NC) , Katherine Taylor (TX), Delanie Wise (MA), Sherry Wells (MT), Gwendolyn Yoppolo(NJ)

Teapots IV is on display through February 28 at Baltimore Clayworks in Mount Washington. For further information visit baltimoreclayworks.org.

Practical and Beautiful

I took a pottery class in college and I loved it, but I found it wasn't my medium for creative expression. I enjoy the practical side of art too much. So when I saw the Baltimore Clayworks was offering a course entitled Architectural Ceramics for the Home, I thought that was something I could really get into.

Here are two pieces by the instructor, Lars Westby:





Architectural Ceramics for the Home

This 12-week course will focus on the creation of ceramic work that may be incorporated into the home as both architectural embellishment and functional design. Projects may include cabinet knobs, backsplash tile, sinks, planters and wall sconces to name but a few. Students will utilize simple plaster press and slump molds supplemented with hand-built and thrown embellishments to realize their designs. Students should come prepared with project ideas which the instructor will help them to realize. The glaze palette will utilize both cone 6 oxidation and cone 10 reduction glazes. This course is open to both hand-building and wheel students, previous clay experience is strongly recommended.
Instructor: Lars Westby
ST3 – Tuesday, 7-10pm, February 10 – April 28
Fee: $325 Members; $345 Non-members

The Baltimore Clayworks is a non-profit ceramic art center housed in two historic buildings in Baltimore, established in 1980 in Mt. Washington Village.