International Ceramics Festival 2015.

 

Demonstrations. Ceramists from all over the world do several 45 minute demos/interviews to the hall and then you can visit them at their work space to see more closely what they are doing.

Demonstrations. Ceramists from all over the world do several 45 minute demos/interviews to the hall and then you can visit them at their work space to see more closely what they are doing.

A key factor of South Wales Potters is  generosity. For 50 years SWP has been a platform for sharing skills, equipment and opportunities not only amongst members but with anyone we can. Every 2 years  SWP, North Wales Potters and Aberystwyth University throw Europe’s biggest clay-party the International Ceramics Festival. I’ve been before, working, but this time lovely SWP members Phil Hughes and Kay Milward gave me a ticket and a room and I was free to wander from one fascinating, challenging, eye-opening, reassuring, encouraging lecture, demo, and conversation to the next. And then SWP Cocktails with Mary Cousins and dancing!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Lisa Hammond, UK.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Naidee Changmoh, Thailand.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

John Higgins, UK.

There was kiln building and firing.

Helen Walsh from York Art Gallery gave a really interesting talk about the new building and plans for their Centre of Ceramic Art, a fabulous new extension to the Museum opening this August. It’s especially great to see that happening in these pessimistic days. It is going to be wonderful, with imaginative exhibitions, a selling Gallery, a working studio, archives, an educational program and  academic research.

One of the high-lights for me was the Emerging Makers presentation. A very diverse and inspiring group of young people were hoping to go on a Residency at the awesome Archie Bray Foundation in the USA.  I was so pleased when Lanty Ball was chosen. His committed, thoughtful and sensitive approach to craftsmanship and expression was a joy to see. His pots are very beautiful.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Lanty Ball

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Lanty Ball.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Lanty Ball.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Lanty Ball.

The atmosphere at the closing ceremony was very warm, a thousand clay-people loving the work they are dedicated to and respecting and celebrating their peers.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Mary Cousins and Frank Hamer from South Wales Potters.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The closing ceremony.

Tuition, Workshops, Play Events and Parties.

 

 

The measuring frees you up to be expressive with your modelling .

The measuring frees you up to be expressive with your modelling. Concrete skills set your creativity free.

Osprey Studios has a major commitment to sharing skills and encouraging creativity. I have a great deal of experience in guiding people of all ages and abilities towards their own style. My sculptural techniques have been tested to destruction and make sound foundations for your own exploration of clay and form. You can find my set of ‘How To’ posts here. I update and add to them regularly and get a big kick out of the fact that they are now used all over the world.

From time to time I’ll run a Master class here on a particular thing; Posts about Workshops. If there is something you want to work on let me know and I’ll collect together a group of like-minded people and we’ll set a date that works for everyone. The price is usually around £90 p/day each for a 7 hour day, with a max group size of 8, including home-made lunch and refreshments. Only materials or tools kept are extra.

A Masterclass at your venue can have more students than that depending on your resources.

 

Groups or individuals are welcome to come to Osprey Studios (SA9 1YT).  Being in the Studio environment with work-in-progress and the sculpture garden outside is part of the event. I usually provide homemade refreshments and lunches (included in the fee) and we have relaxing breaks on the sofa or in the garden to swap ideas and chat. There is accommodation available here or lots of other gorgeous places to stay and eat in this lovely area.

Or I can bring everything we need to you in my van. Sculpture in clay makes surprisingly little mess and is easy to clean up.

The Workshop will be custom made to suit your needs and objectives.

For example;

  • A 1 day workshop guiding you towards your own ‘voice’ in 3D artwork. A very enjoyable, fascinating day with lots of laughs and new experiences in clay work whatever your starting point.
  • Making figures: a 1 day workshop incorporating a great deal of very useful information relavent to all sorts of artwork.
  • I particularly encourage Teacher’s to do a fun, very straightforward 2 hour Workshop on using clay modelling in school. We’ll cover firing/self-hardening clays, recycling clay, decorating and controlling costs, everything to help you keep clay in the class room because it matters!
  • A Portfolio Review will clarify the way you see your work in preparation for college applications or a change of direction.
  • ‘How To’ classes with technical solutions for challenging projects, including working on a large scale, hand-building pottery, drawing from life, portraits/figures, all suitable for all levels of experience including total beginners. 
  • Join-In Sculptures are great fun and full of learning opportunities. They are the ultimate embodiment of unstructured, experiential, messy play! I have done these with adults and children at Events and Parties in all kinds of settings and they bring out the best in everyone. The fabulous, ever changing sculpture is photographed along the way and then we re-cycle the clay. It is a wonderful, flexible, cost effective way to engage and inspire even very large groups ( 80 year 2’s over 1 day is my best yet) and great for working through themes, building concepts and stories and engendering co-operation. No matter how small the contribution it is part of something greater.

                   

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    Occasionally I’ll go for other materials and processes like drawing or murals. This fantastic 3 metre x 2.5 metre painting was done with many wonderful young people at the Penrhos Youth Centre in short sessions over 6 weeks.

This magical book to go in the Library was part of a sculpture project with year 5 at Pennard Primary School on the Gower.

Fees start at £30 per hour + 44p per mile travel + materials. On average individuals will use around £2.00 worth of clay. On many projects, like the Join In Sculptures, all the material is recycled so there is no charge for it.

Feel welcome to contact me to chat through your idea: phone 01639 731271 / 07913743457 or email at osprey.studios@btinternet.com