by Carole Epp | Feb 4, 2016 | Uncategorized
… a bit about me:
I
came to ceramics as a second career. Having basically just graduated
from a bachelor degree that I had no interest in pursuing any further, I
was very hesitant to enroll in an academic ceramics program. So I
looked for training in practice, and was disappointed to find so little
in this regard in Canada.
So, I did go to school. First Fleming College, and then Sheridan. But I
also had the fortune of working for other potters (Thomas Aitken,
Gleason Brook Pottery). Without dismissing my ceramic college
experience, I think I learned just as much (if not more) by working at a
real pottery studio.
Now
that my studio has been in operation for a few years, it is time for me
to think about growing a little , but also about giving back. I am
hoping that this apprenticeship experience will offer what I was looking
for when I was first getting started: an opportunity to see the real
workings of a functioning studio, that would provide a safe and
nourishing environment in which to continue learning.
JOB DESCRIPTION
In exchange for 32 hours a week of labour (May/August), I offer facilities, materials, room & board, and a stipend.
The apprentice
does not do any throwing for me. The idea behind the 32 hour week, is
that there is enough time left to make their own work, and hone their
making skills (whatever they may be) while focusing on developing and
clarifying their own voice.
I work in porcelain and fire a bourry box wood kiln regularly. This
means that a large portion of the studio tasks centre around wood prep
and kiln maintenance, and of course firing. Other studio tasks would
include preparing work for glaze firing (bisque firing, glazing,
wadding), mixing glazes, clay preparation, gallery up-keep, basic book
keeping, inventory tracking, social media management, etc.
The successful
applicant will be responsible, hardworking, fired up and hungry to learn
(with me) about wood firing, and running a small studio. They should
also be able and willing to do physically demanding work, and (learn how
to) use power tools.
by Carole Epp | Feb 18, 2015 | Uncategorized
The Zakin Apprenticeship
Sponsored by the Allied Arts Foundation, Seattle, Washington
Managed by Maryon Attwood and Robbie Lobell, Cook on Clay LLC
The Zakin Women in Studio Arts, Design, Business, and Manufacturing
Apprenticeship Program is an exceptional opportunity for a potter to
learn the combined skills required for today’s contemporary studio
artist, including the business of art, design, and related manufacturing
processes.
Apprenticeships are one- to two-year, hands-on learning opportunities.
The Apprentice is provided with studio space, use of studio equipment,
and inexpensive living quarters. There are nominal materials and firing
fees. Apprenticeships require 25 hours per week of work for Cook on
Clay. The Apprentice learns the importance of being part of a team, and
is mentored and tutored in studio work, design and manufacturing
practices, and managing a small artisan-based business.
Cook on Clay has two educational settings:
-
The studios are located on our 10-acre homestead in Coupeville on
Whidbey Island, 30 miles northwest of Seattle, WA. Ceramic classes and
studio equipment are located here, along with a 70 cubic foot soda kiln.
-
The production Annex is located a few miles from the studio, and is
where manufacturing (hydraulic pressing and finishing), glazing,
bisquing, firing, and packaging take place.
Whidbey Island offers a large arts community, small family farms and
unsurpassed natural beauty. Hiking, biking, kayaking and beachcombing
are readily accessible in this spectacular corner of the country. An
array of sales opportunities is available, including cooperative
galleries, farmer’s markets, studio tours, and craft fairs.
by Carole Epp | Dec 13, 2014 | Uncategorized
|
JUDY CHETEYAN SCHOLARSHIP
Businesswoman
and previous President of the SCC Board, Judy Cheteyan, has been an
invaluable asset to the arts community in Pittsburgh. Both Judy and her
husband Michael believe that the arts and education make for a stronger
community; therefore, affordable exposure to both is crucial for
citizens. The Judy Cheteyan Scholarship Fund is an annual paid summer
internship offered through Contemporary Craft that provides a college or
graduate student with the opportunity to gain professional experience
within an internationally known contemporary craft organization. The
scholarship will be used to pay a $3,000 stipend to the student during
the internship.
The deadline to apply is January 15, 2015.
|
STUDIO APPRENTICESHIP
The
Society for Contemporary Craft is offering a yearlong studio
apprenticeship to an emerging artist seeking to develop professional
studio management skills by working with one of the nation’s only
nonprofits focusing exclusively on creation, exhibition, and education
across all contemporary craft media. The apprentice scholarship offers a
monthly stipend and an additional $300 per month housing allowance.
This opportunity will provide a young artist with tools to be successful
through mentoring from SCC staff and visiting artists, professional
development, and networking opportunities.
The deadline to apply is January 15, 2015.
|
Society for Contemporary Craft
2100 Smallman Street – in the Strip District!
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
by Carole Epp | Nov 1, 2013 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
Right
Off The Batt Pottery in Prince Edward Island has got some news to share
! We’re on the look-out again for another Production Potter (or maybe
two ?) to add to our team. The following info will provide the nuts
& bolts type info, but if you have any other questions PLEASE don’t
hesitate to ask !
Right
Off The Batt has enjoyed a lot of success over the past year and as a
result we have another position for a somewhat-experienced full-time
permanent production potter for throwing. We have a complete line of
forms (table & kitchenware) that are of a functional design. Our
work has often been described as “Meat & Potatoes” pottery, which is
a compliment to us as we’ve always created our work to be “consumed” by
a wide market. Nothing fancy… just functional and durable. We offer
9 lines that come from 4 modifications of 1 design line if that makes
sense to you. For instance, one mug form becomes 4 designs which are
glazed differently to create 9 lines. Our forms are very consistent
with dimensions and weights for each product well established, and are
the result of significant design and functionality consideration. From
time to time we stretch ourselves out a little by creating one-of-a-kind
items for our Gallery, but for the most part our potters focus on
faithful recreation.
It
is in fact a permanent full-time position with 3-4 weeks off for
Christmas then back at it in mid-Jan. We would start a new production
potter at $14 hourly for a 37.5 or 40-hr week. After a 3-month period
that rate would be up for review. We are very flexible as far as hours
go i.e. if you’re a late riser then come in later and work later. Next
year we plan on transferring some of our work over to a jigger operation
as the volume is proving to be too much. This change will in no way
eliminate the need for someone to be at the wheel. Primary
responsibility will be wheel work but the right person will also have
input to design decisions, glaze development, kiln work and numerous
other opportunities that can be considered. We try to work as a team so
with this position you could be as involved as you choose once familiar
with the operation.
Our team is presently made up of:
Cindy – Owner, Business Manager, head of creative
Darryl – Co-Owner, Production Manager, HR Guy, plant maintenance
2 Production Potters on the wheel (45% of our product)
2 Hand Builders (55% of our product)
1 Shipper / Receiver / Inventory Girl
1 Hard-Working Clean Up Guy
Right Off The Batt Pottery (or
ROTB)
is in its 5th year of operation. We have 120+ retailers across Canada
and into the states and thanks to our recent addition of an Ontario
Sales Rep that number is growing monthly. We use up approximately 14
tons of custom clay yearly and a ridiculous amount of glaze. Our wasted
material remains less than 1% thanks to an over-worked pug mill. We
have a dust control program with equipment being added as we grow and
we’re very safety conscious. In our 5 years we’ve had a twisted ankle
and I burnt my finger the other day swapping out a hot thermocouple.
We
also offer an experiential product during the tourist season called
Play in Clay where folks are taught to hand build then turned loose once
they have enough knowledge to be dangerous. Part of that very
successful product (over 500 participants last year) is a quick
20-minute demo on the wheel where there are always ooohhhhs and
aaaaahhhhhs as you may expect. We do not offer wheel classes but get
considerable inquiries.
There are some good pics here
http://tinyurl.com/bnubfsp and here
http://tinyurl.com/bqoh4aj
to give you an idea of what our facility looks like. The pics are from
our Grand Re-Opening held last summer after the huge-big move to our
present spot. In the first album you’ll see a pic of Carley our
longest-serving employee and all-round fantastic Studio Dog.
The
Borden-Carleton area is a small town with an old school grocery store,
Tim Horton’s (yay), Subway, Liquor Store (yay for some) and a school.
There are also a few other larger employers as well. More info on the
town is at
http://www.borden-carleton.ca/
Real Estate
on PEI is very inexpensive compared to a lot of Canada. My brother was
looking for a place in the country and most of what he found was less
than $150K with some land and a couple out-buildings. Life on PEI is
not only very picturesque but relaxed as well. Shopping, entertainment
and the like are usually found either in
Charlottetown
(the birthplace of confederation and about 40-minutes away), Moncton
(about an hour away) or Halifax (less than 3 hours away). The closest
city to Borden-Carleton is
Summerside
at about 15,000 folks and 20-minutes away. As PEI has minimal natural
resources other than farming and fisheries they have become very culture
oriented. The Artisanal community on PEI is gaining its voice thanks
in part to organizations like
Culture PEI,
The PEI Crafts Council,
The Guild,
PEI Council of the Arts and many festivals throughout the year such as
The Festival of Small Halls.
As
for potential potters who may be interested, we can Skype / face time
an initial introduction then possibly host someone if they’d like to
come out to get a better look around. We are looking to fill this
position ASAP, and would greatly appreciate it if you could distribute
the info for this opportunity as wide as possible to the clay
community.
Thank
you all in advance, and please let me know if you can or cannot help us
out by passing this opportunity along, or if there’s someone else you
feel I should be talking to about this opportunity.
My best,
Darryl Lentz
(902) 855-2529 or 1-888-PEI-CLAY (734-2529)
FAX (902) 855-2526
by Carole Epp | Apr 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
Apprenticeship
In 2004 we started an apprenticeship program at Mill Creek Pottery
with the idea creating a symbiotic experience. In many ways I designed
the program to offer the experience I would have liked to have had when I
was trying to find my voice in clay. The apprentices play a vital role
in the success of the pottery allowing for more opportunities to
travel, create and learn.
As of 2013 I have had the pleasure to work with 10 apprentices, they are:
Past apprentices have gone on to residencies at the Archie Bray
Foundation, Taos Clay, and Greenwich House Pottery. Some have attended
graduate programs in ceramics, while others have simply continued in the
field. It does not surprise me that the apprentices have remained in
ceramics, as a dedication to the field is a requirement of the program.
In exchange for 15 hours a week of labor, I offer facilities,
materials, opportunity and guidance. Chores you might be doing any
given week include sanding and shipping pottery, moving or splitting
wood, lawn care, inventory, photographing and web store updates, or
giving tours and explaining the process. Apprentices facilitate the
making of my work, but do not make my work.
Facilities:
At Mill Creek Pottery we have three distinctly different wood fired
kilns, and two electrics kilns. We also have the materials for
apprentices to build and fire test kilns. The studio has a kick wheel
and an electric wheel for apprentices to use. I prefer to have two
apprentices at a time, which allows for more firing possibilities and a
small but lively studio community.
Materials:
I order several clay bodies from Continental Clay, some are my own
recipes while others are commercially available. The apprentices usually
use my own clay bodies for their work, but I am open to ordering dry
materials if an apprentice wants to test new clays. In many ways I see
Mill Creek Pottery as a woodfire research institute, so testing clays
and innovations in kiln design interest me. Of late, I have started to
encourage apprentices to publish and I may co-author articles with
future apprentices.
Opportunities:
In addition to the day in out rhythms often studio potter, I travel
and teach workshops, participate in tremendous sales with other potters
from around the country. In 2012 apprentices and I traveled to Montana
to build a kiln for the Archie Bray foundation, future kiln building
opportunities are already in the works. I sell work at Demarest (The
Art School at Old Church) a show curated by Karen Karnes, St. Croix
Pottery Tour which is the most amazing and heartening pottery sale in
the U.S., and at the ArtStream trailer at NCECA. The quality and
breadth and experience of the other potters at those sales becomes a
huge opportunity for networking, critique and conceptual fodder, not to
mention the chance to purchase some of the best pottery in the U.S.
Guidance:
I believe art pottery is different than craft pottery in that it has a
core concept it explores and communicates. My goal is for apprentices
to develop their own voice in clay, I expect them to define and clarify
not only a voice but a message in their work. This is mostly done by
making a lot of work combined with constant critique, suggestions,
conversation, and questions. We do schedule formal critiques after
firing but it is the daily process that seems more effective. I expect
apprentices to be prolific. The second component to the guidance is
career based. An undercurrent of the apprenticeship is to teach
methods to promote establish and sustain the life of the full time
artist.
I expect apprentices to invest themselves in the success of Mill
Creek Pottery, as I am invested in the success of each apprentice. A
sense of ownership and pride of place is an important ingredient to a
successful time here. I look for apprentices who are hard working,
thoughtful and open to learning, eager and respectful. Organizational
skills are appreciated.
Please note that I do not provide housing, nor meals. In the past
apprenticeshave rented inexpensive apartments or a room with a local
family. Some have held part time jobs, or used saved money as an
educational investment to spend more time in the studio. We do host an
apprentice sale and there are some opportunities to sell work, but it
doesn’t amount to a lot of money. People who are interested in an
inexpensive studio space to make a lot of work to sell should not apply.
If you are interested in the apprenticeship you should email me and
begin the conversation. I ask for a year commitment with the option to
extend. Because the studio space is shared and because apprentices
work closely with my family finding a good fit is vital. Living in
rural Wisconsin and wood firing is not for everyone, nor is my teaching
and work style.
To apply please email me [email protected], with a letter of intent, and
5-10 images of your current work
Past Apprentices include:
