Alternative Materials & Finishes:
Stretching the Creative Process
Ceramics Workshop with Rocky Lewycky
August 12 - 18, 2024
Monday - Sunday 9 AM - 4:30 PM
Structure of Class: (7) days of 6.5 hour instruction, 1 hour lunch
C0812 • Intermediate/Advanced
Registration deadline: August 1, 2024
Current Mendocino Art Center members receive a 30% discount off each class registration! See below for details.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
The heart of this workshop is in the exploration of alternative firings. We will be working and exploring everyday with new firing techniques and processes. Students will bring both greenware and bisqueware to the workshop to fulfill each process. You can visit my website and click on “workshops'' to see examples of what you will be learning in the workshop. Below is a list of firings that we will be exploring:
Ferric Chloride Saggar Burritos
Ferric Chloride Spray Over Clear Crackle
Pit Fire over Greenware Terra-Sigillata Base
Pit Fire over Bisqueware Terra-Sigillata with Mica Colorants Base
Horse Hair/Feather Firing with GreenwareTerra-Sigillata Base
Cone 7 Seashell Side-Fire with Matte Crystal Glazes (Oxidation)
Cone 11 Side-Fire Shino with Wood Ash (Reduction)
Along with our exploration of alternative firing techniques, we will also spend some time experimenting with alternative materials and surface treatments. will demonstrate how to make and use the following:
Greenware Greek Style Terra Sigillata (Greenware)
Greenware Terra-Sigillata with Mason Stain Colorants
Bisqueware Terra Sigillata with Mica Colorants
Paper Clay with Burnout Legumes
Feldspar Inclusions
Micaceous Clay
Finally, I will teach you how to clean and finish your pots with the following techniques:
Dremel Tool Sanding of Side Fire Wares
Wax Sealing of Low Fire Wares
Introduction to Gold Leafing Materials and Sizing Demo
**Please note that you will need to purchase an organic vapor mask to participate in the Ferric Chloride processes (~$45). In preparation for the workshop, you will need approximately 20-40 small to medium pieces at various stages of completion. Please allow enough time for this planning. Detailed information will be provided upon registration.
Work to bring made from HIGH FIRE clay only…
Four to Six (4-6) bone-dry pieces under 10 inches tall. Clays with sand and/or grog will have a better chance of holding up to the extreme thermal shock of our firings. Smooth clays such as B-Mix or similar will only work if they are evenly thin (1/16 - 1/8 inch) as heat will pass in and out rapidly. Please take care wrapping these works for transportation to the workshop.
Ten to Fifteen (10-15) bisque pieces under 10 inches tall. Clays with sand and/or grog will have a better chance of holding up to the extreme thermal shock of our firings. Smooth clays such as B-Mix or similar will only work if they are evenly thin (1/16 - 1/8 inch) as heat will pass in and out rapidly.
Six to ten (6-10) bisque pieces under 10 inches tall for Shino fire. Smooth white clay is my favorite but any clay will work (ex Bmix or Porcelain). All forms will work with this firing. You may include additional small items such as sake cups or shot cup size pieces. These can fit around larger works easily. Having a VARIETY of forms and sizes will work best to maximize the space in the kiln. (* All tiny things make great tests and always find space in the kiln. Please have one (1) medium size bowl (wider and low is best) for a special shino project.
Three to Four (3-4) bisque pieces smooth white clay (b-mix, porcelain, or best 50% mix porcelain/Bmix). Closed forms such as bottles, or narrow forms such as tumblers will have more success than open forms such as tall bowls or wide vases. (For Side Fire on Sea Shells)
* Not all pieces will get in the firing. I will do my best to accommodate all wares, however inevitably there will be some that won't squeeze in.
** It is very important that all pieces are made from cone 10, high fire clays ONLY.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Rocky Lewycky, born 1977 in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a contemporary artist and teacher living in Santa Cruz, California. His resume includes teaching positions at the University of South Carolina, Institute of American Indian Arts (I.A.I.A.), the Santa Fe Community College, Foothill College, Monterey Peninsula College, and finally De Anza College, where he has been the head of ceramics since 2012. Rocky has been featured in museum shows, as well as gallery exhibits of contemporary sculpture, installation and performance throughout the country. He was recognized by the Santa Fean magazine as ”One of the top five artists to watch in New Mexico,” and “Top Talent from emerging to established and our region’s most influential talent of all time,” in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Rocky was chosen by Jo Lauria of Craft in America to install a ceramic installation at the Eastern State Penitentiary for the 2010 Philadelphia NCECA conference. He was also honored with a $20,000 award from the Santa Cruz Rydel Visual Arts Fund of 2012/2013. In 2019, he founded Rockford Gallery Contemporary Ceramics in Boulder Creek, California.
TUITION & FEES
Current MAC Members: $1138
Non-members: $1627
Current Mendocino Art Center members receive a 30% discount off each class registration! This applies to the member only and can only be used once per class. This discount is reflected in the prices above. Not a member yet? View our membership benefits and sign up today.
REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations must be made in writing, either by mail or email. If you notify us at least 14 days prior to the first class meeting, you will receive a refund of tuition less a $45 cancellation fee. No refunds will be made after that date for any reason due to our contractual obligations and material acquisitions. If the Art Center is compelled to cancel a class you will receive a full tuition refund. Memberships are non-refundable as they are considered a donation to the Art Center.