Exploring Clay Sculptures: From Miniature to Monumental (or 15” in any direction).

Saturday/ Sunday, October 28th & 29th, 2023

Description: Unleash your creativity and dive into the world of clay sculptures in this engaging two-day workshop led by acclaimed artist Joe Wilkinson. This immersive experience will provide you with valuable strategies and techniques for making clay sculptures.

Workshop Details: Day 1:
Miniature Perspectives and Form Exploration
On the first day, you'll embark on a journey of form exploration starting from the miniature perspective. Joe Wilkinson will guide you through the process of conceptualizing and shaping your initial ideas with clay. Discover how to translate your creative visions into small-scale clay sculptures, laying the foundation for your larger project.

• Witness a captivating 20-minute image presentation by Joe Wilkinson showcasing the vast potential of clay sculptures, igniting new ideas and perspectives. Talk about ideas of abstraction and clay working techniques.

• Refresh hand-building techniques such as slabs, pinching, and coiling.

• Receive personalized guidance and insights from Joe Wilkinson, drawing from his extensive experience in the field.

• Engage in discussions and share ideas with fellow participants, fostering a collaborative and inspiring environment.

• Explore the possibilities of clay as a medium for artistic expression.

• Prep clay for building larger sculptures

• Begin larger sculptures

Workshop Details Day 2:
From Miniature to Monumental (up to 15”)
Building upon the concepts explored on the first day, the second day of the workshop will challenge you to expand your creations from miniature to up to 15” in any direction. Discover the intricacies of scaling up your sculptures while maintaining their essence and visual impact.

• Embrace the constraints of the two-day format, your chosen clay medium, and your skill level as you make informed decisions in shaping your final project.

• Transform your miniature clay sculptures into impressive 15” projects under Joe's expert guidance.

• Dive deeper into clay working techniques, focusing on refining details and proportions for larger pieces.

• Pack up projects if you wish to take them home, or lightly cover them for drying and subsequent firing at RCS.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have built on your sculpting techniques, from initial concept to final execution. You'll leave with a newfound appreciation for the art of sculpting and the ability to confidently create captivating clay sculptures that tell your unique artistic story.

Who Should Attend: This workshop is open to artists of all levels who are intrigued by the world of clay sculpting. It would be helpful if you have had one clay class before, but it is not required.

Note: Limited spots are available for this exclusive workshop, so secure your spot now and embark on a transformative artistic journey!

General Structure:
Saturday & Sunday 9am-4pm with 1/2 hour lunch around 12:30pm (bring a sack lunch)

You must be 15 years of age or older to participate.

TOOLS: Wear old clothes, and bring an apron, a quart-sized bucket (repurpose a yogurt container), and any tools you would like to use. Bring plastic for covering your work and a way to transport your work home if you are not leaving it at the end of the workshop to have fired.

TUITION: $145
This includes the workshop classroom access for two days, instruction, and #25 of clay with sand. This also includes one bisque and one glaze firing for one piece made during the workshop.

CLAY: #25 of clay will be included in the workshop fee. If you would like additional clay, this can be purchased through RCS. The bisque firing and glaze firings are included in the workshop. If you are not a current RCC student or RCS member, you will need to take your sculpture home to glaze and then you may bring it back to be glaze-fired.

This workshop does not come with any additional studio access at RCS or RCC.

About the Instructor:
Instructor: Joe Wilkinson (he/him)

Artist Joe Wilkinson received his BFA from the University of Colorado, Boulder and his MFA from Michigan State University. His work in clay began in 2008 finding inspiration in the material at the Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge, Colorado. Post graduate school 2016,  Joe moved to Seattle, WA to start his career finding a welcoming arts community at Pottery Northwest, Seward Park Clay Studio, and Rat City Studio. He lives and shares studio space with his girlfriend, Studio Potter, Deborah Schwartzkopf. In addition to his own artwork, Joe is a metal fabricator building custom railings, staircases, and other household items for a Seattle contractor. Joe's work is represented by Culture Object Gallery, in NYC and Eutectic Gallery, in Portland, OR.

Joe’s work examines and celebrates a state of flux. Liminal moments, outside of the ritual of determined pattern, stir and agitate existing parameters. They penetrate into the unconscious, creating new spaces from which to examine and comprehend shifting realities. Patterns or “self-similarity” within nature inspire us to situate ourselves into various states of organization and behaviors. We seek the utmost efficiency to live a deterministic existence. However, as soon as a piece of the pattern is interrupted, chaos ensues, leaving us in an uncomfortable state of uncertainty.

Class refund policy:

If you want to cancel your class, you may request a refund based on the bullet points below. Then you may rebook yourself for a class that fits better into your schedule. Last-minute cancellations in classes are difficult to fill - please double-check your schedule before committing to an event. Refunds take several business days to process from the date we receive the email request.

• 100% of tuition (less a $15 processing fee) will be refunded if a student elects to drop or transfer a class no later than ten days (10 days) before the first class meeting.

• 80% of tuition (less a $15 processing fee) will be refunded if a student drops or transfers a class within 7 business days before the first class meeting.

• 50% of tuition (less a $15 processing fee) will be refunded if a student drops or transfers a class within 3 business days before the first class meeting.

• 0% of tuition is refunded if cancellation is made within two days of class for any reason except for documented medical emergencies. (providing a doctor's note). There are no other exceptions to this policy.

• No refunds or credit will be given for missed classes. Students currently enrolled in 8-week classes may practice during open studio time to build skills even if a class is missed. One-day clay events and lessons do not come with open studio time.

• We reserve the right to cancel a class or workshop up to 3 days in advance of the first class due to insufficient enrollment. If a class is canceled, you will be offered the option of another class or a full refund.