Armory Art Center

The workshop includes demonstrations of throwing, altering and constructing a variety of pottery forms and a hands-on opportunity to try new techniques on the wheel. Participants will discuss issues involved with making pottery as an expressive art form and will gather information concerning clay bodies, glazes, and firing techniques. The artist presentation will include historical and contemporary references as well as a historical account of the Archie Bray Foundation and its contribution to the field of ceramic art. Read Josh DeWeese's bio

This is an exciting and stimulating two-day workshop to explore design, color, and painting on silk. Colors on silk are breath-taking. Design techniques are easy to apply, and painting florals are perfect for this art form. Classes are taught in an open, relaxed manner and are geared for the beginner or the seasoned artist interested in exploring silk painting. Mr. Kirkell invites all who are interested to this delightful two day workshop where students will create stimulating work, learn a new and easy way to design fabric, and work with others to explore the joy of silk painting. Students will be completing three scarves by the end of the second day. Read Jamie Kirkell's bio

Wait list only. Explore the creation of three-dimensional sculptures of fine silver. The basic form used will be an orchid but other designs are possible. Create a fine silver piece and use glass enamels to add another dimension to the work. The glass enamels can be fired with either a kiln or a torch. We also will introduce new types of color applied to metal without the need for heat. The class will offer plenty of opportunities to experiment with different ways to add color to the surface of silver. Instructor will charge a material fee of $35 in the studio. Read Mary Ann Devos' bio

Soda firing is an exciting atmospheric process that can yield lively and unpredictable surfaces. In this two-day workshop, students will glaze, load, and fire the soda kiln. Learn the essentials of glazing and decorating for soda firing. The interaction between clay, underglaze, glaze, and kiln atmosphere will be central as students consider how to decorate pots. McKenzie will demonstrate how to make brushes during the workshop, but please bring your favorite brushes for decorating. Participants are asked to bring 8 bisque fired pots to the workshop. Because of space restrictions, please bring small to medium size pots and please do not exceed 15 inches in height and flatware must not exceed 12 inches. The Armory Art Center will supply the slips and glazes for the firing. Read McKenzie Smith's bio

Suzanne Scherer and Pavel Ouporov, two of the leading practitioners of this ancient technique, will conduct a five-day, comprehensive workshop. Students will have the unique opportunity to create an egg tempera painting of their own design on genuine gesso wood panels. All aspects of the medium will be covered from the mixing of paints from dry pigments and egg yolk, under painting, glazing, and water-gilding, to the embellishment of the gold leaf with designs, pattern and gems. Combining both Eastern icon and Western panel painting traditions, Scherer and Ouporov will provide in-depth, hands-on instruction and demonstrations. Read Scherer and Ouporov bios

The first three days will focus on sculpting a 24-30 inch female torso from live model. Learn a fresh sculptural language and foundation concepts, utilizing Peter Rubino's easy to follow step by step system of blocking in the masses, plane structure and anatomy of the figure. Discover the power, grace and essence of the human form as you create a substantial three dimensional representation or abstract expression of the model in pose. Surface treatment, texture and tooling techniques will be demonstrated to help students develop a professional looking sculpture. Day four and five are devoted to creating a large hand and foot from life. Peter will discuss how to hollow, fire and apply a patina to your finished pieces. Open to all levels, beginners welcome. The patina process can be found in Peter's first book "The Portrait in Clay". Mr. Rubino devotes an entire chapter to the female torso, hands and feet, in his new book "Sculpting the Figure in Clay". Read Peter Rubino's bio

During the course of this workshop students will explore and compare various surfaces and texturing techniques for the creation of jewelry and metal objects. Students will use thin metal sheet and fine gauge wire and will focus on processes such as roll-printing, hammer texturing, chase and stamping, fire texturing and the use of the flex-shaft as a texturing device and develop surface blocks, chasing tools and texture hammers, and learn different techniques for use. Also, students will explore various finishing techniques, opening the door to a great variety of aesthetic possibilities to enhance ideas for design considerations.  Caballero-Perez will demonstrate surface texturing, primarily in copper, brass and sterling silver. Working in gold is strictly optional. 
Read Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez' bio

This 3-day workshop will give participants an introduction to the encaustic medium and method - from the classical to the experimental. Artists with backgrounds in almost any medium will find this workshopo to be an exciting opportunity to expand
their visual vocabulary with wax. The demonstrations will provide artists with sound technique and the ability to explore this versatile medium; and after demonstrations, there is plenty of time for hands-on-experience. Encaustic has the ability to be the great "unifier", allowing artists to bring together multiple mediums in exciting and innovative ways. In addition to encaustic, demonstrations will include a variety of other methods and techniques that can enhance and deepen your work, such as image transfers, decal paper, texture paint and liquid metallic surfacers.
Read Chris Valle's biography

Learn the art of cloisonné enameling step by step: delicate wires of silver or gold are fused to a base of pure silver, with enamel powders applied in thin layers to add color. Beginners will learn all the basics, while more advanced students increase their mastery. Texturing the base, wire-bending, smoothly blending colors, using foils, polishing methods, and more will be covered. Discover the tips and tricks that make this exciting technique easy and fun! Read Amy Roper Lyons' bio