Big Stories in Small-Scale & Wearable Art Casting

Holly Wilson
June 29 – July 3

I am a strong believer in creating small things that carry a big story. Whether you want to create wearable art or small-scale sculptures, the methods are the same. In this workshop, you will create unique pieces carved or built up from wax, or cast directly from nature using leaves, pinecones, pods, etc. You will learn the process of “lost wax” casting – both gravity and centrifugal methods. This workshop will include an introduction to the materials, methods, and safety measures of casting, as well as how to produce and finish small bronze or sterling silver work. You will also be introduced to several mold-making processes. Returning students will be shown new methods and may choose to work on advanced projects.

Skill Level: All levels
Tuition: $755
Attendance: You must attend all required instructional sessions to understand and follow safety guidelines.
Lab Fee: $130 – This workshop’s $130 lab fee includes casting wax, investment, sprue wax, shared use of patinas, sealing wax, mold material, kiln, metal working tools such as flex shafts, grinders or files, wax carving tools, and a small alcohol lamp, safety goggles, and dust masks. You will be asked to bring additional materials. Sterling silver is not covered and will need to be purchased by students prior to class.
Materials List: Coming Soon
Enrollment limited to 8 students

Here is a link to the enrollment online

Sculpture & Glassblowing

Finding Form, Encaustic in the Third Dimension
By Holly Wilson
July 6 – 10, 2020

Colored wax on a flat surface is just the beginning! We are going to look at materials and form to bring your ideas to life, allowing you to create fascinating structures that leave the two-dimensional plane.

Material is an important part of our visual language, so you will want to carefully choose the materials you wish to speak with. Along with your ideas, you will bring a variety of materials including wood, cardboard, metal, fired clay pieces, dried plasterwork, fiber, string, paper, objects from nature, or treasures you have held onto (a complete list of suggestions to follow). You will learn interesting ways to weave these objects into your work.

Experiment with how the materials may be dipped, painted, wired, glued, hammered, but most of all, waxed. You will start by making your own encaustic medium with pigment application. Encaustic is a wax-based paint composed of beeswax, resin, and pigment, which is kept liquid on a heated palette, and then applied to an absorbent surface. In addition to safety practices, you will learn a range of techniques including fusing, using transparencies, glazing, layering, building up texture, line making, carving, image transfer, mold making, and resin application with different surfaces. Returning students will learn new methods and may choose to work on advanced projects.

Skill Level: All levels
Tuition: $755
Lab Fee: $120 – This workshop’s $120 lab fee includes encaustic wax, pigments, two wood panels, art resin, and the use of propane torches, alcohol lamp, and two metal tools. You will be asked to bring additional materials.
Materials List: Coming Soon
Enrollment limited to 8 students

Here is a link to the enrollment online