Creatures in Clay (Session 5) 2025

Service Description

Wednesdays @ 6:30-9pm, June 25th - August 6th (no class July 2nd) Join the renowned sculptor GV Kelley in this immersive animal sculpture class, where artistry meets technique in the world of three-dimensional creation. Expect to engage in dynamic discussions about form, texture, and the narrative power of sculpture, while also delving into the rich Sculpture techniques. This class offers a supportive environment where you can experiment and refine your skills, culminating in a unique piece of art that reflects your creative vision. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from GV Kelley and elevate your sculptural practice! Week 1: Introductions, demonstrations, and brainstorming. ○ Pinching, coiling, solid building, slab rolling ○ Demo each thing and discuss what techniques work well for what animal parts. ● Students practice techniques by making small objects that can be used as test tiles. ● Individual student/teacher discussions about ideas for sculptures and brainstorming for the project - suggest reference photos to bring for next time. ○ Students can come up with their own creatures (pick a minimum of three animals to combine) or they can pull three animals and three body parts from a hat at random. ○ Discuss basic shapes and which techniques will be best for different poses, body shapes, and body parts. Week 2: Final planning discussion, quick review of previous week, start sculpting. ● Analyze references and identify key features to focus on in their sculptures. ● Individual student/teacher discussions throughout the class. Week 3: Detail demos and discussions, student work day. ● Discuss how to sculpt in ways that include structure systems. ● Detail demos - Focus on adding details such as fur texture, facial features, and expressive elements via sculpting techniques, press molds, and other methods. Week 4: Surfacing discussion and work day. ● Introduction to basic glazing techniques, discuss color choices and glaze application methods. ● Use test tiles to test different glazes/surfaces and get experience with glaze application. ● Workday. Week 5: Final work day for sculpting. ● Look at and discuss test tiles and surfacing. ● Workday. Week 6: Glaze Day/ Potluck ● Bring some tasty treats, and eat some tasty treats! ● Glaze/surface your bisqued sculptures.