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Hey, do I know you?
Who's who at the studio: Darcy Bowden
If you visit Yourist Studio Gallery often, you'll notice that you see certain faces again and again. These familiar faces belong to the Yourist Studio Gallery Community Studio members. In this series, we'll introduce you to our Community Studio members and let you get to know them.
Darcy Bowden was drawn to clay as an art student at Mott College when she took a class from Thom Bohnert, then a new graduate in ceramics from Cranbrook in his first teaching gig. Finding an earlier class in ceramics frustrating, she was motivated to solve problems she'd encountered and Bohnert's class got her hooked.
After graduating with a BFA, Darcy taught ceramics at Interlochen for two summers, then moved on to teach art in the Ann Arbor Public Schools for 28 years. She calls teaching art in an academic setting the "perfect job" for her and says she "totally loved it." But she didn't touch clay for personal expression for 30 years. It was not until retiring four years ago that she became a Community Studio member and started working in clay for herself again. Why did she choose ceramics? "Because clay is very malleable and there are always new challenges and discoveries," she says. "You never 'arrive'."
 | Ditty
(Majolica cup)
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Darcy says that the aesthetic of her work "stems from a love of simple, modernist forms and small intimate objects. Most importantly, I want the work to bear the mark of the human hand, reveal imperfection - a view associated with Korean and Japanese ceramics - and show the raw and pliant nature of clay paired with a graceful touch." You can see from these photographs how her pieces reflect her artistic intentions.
 | Dotted bowl
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Needless to say, Darcy is involved in other kinds of art making as well. She creates abstract, textured prints using collagraphic and etching techniques. Collagraphy is a collage printmaking technique using paper printing plates.
When asked what advice she would give to new students of ceramics at the studio, Darcy counsels patience. "Finding your own voice is a long process, so you need to give yourself time to develop. Look at work you admire with the aim of understanding the process used and how the work influences you. Use the sum of your influences to develop your own unique expression."
You can see more of Darcy's work here at the studio and at the River Gallery in Chelsea. Her work will also be on view during February and March in an exhibition at Rackham Graduate School curated by River Gallery. In addition, selected ceramic pieces by Darcy are available at Found Gallery in the Kerrytown Shops.
Visit the studio website for information about becoming a Community Studio member.
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Moisturizing your hands: A potter's quick tip from Kay
Winter can be tough on hands. So can working with clay. When you combine the two, you may find yourself with an uncomfortable case of dry hands. Nelsons® Calendula cream and RESCUE® cream are two moisturizers from which Kay has found effective relief for her dry hands. Have you found a hand moisturizer that you swear by? Let us know what's working well for you.
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Come and get 'em
Q: I know there's a time limit. How soon do I have to pick up the bisque and glazed ware I've made at the studio?
A: February 2 is the last day for picking up all bisque and glazed ware you made during classes in 2012. We'll place all unclaimed bisque and glazed pieces in boxes by the studio's back door.
Also, although our Groupon classes ended in October, we still have a number of pieces from those classes waiting for pickup. We plan to clear the shelves of all unclaimed Groupon work at the end of February, so don't delay in picking up your work.
As a rule, we keep bisque and glazed ware on hand for 30 days after firing, so you must come claim your work within that time (unless you've made special arrangements with Kay). Since space at the studio is limited, the sooner you retrieve your work the better. Please don't let your beautiful creations languish on our shelves. Use and enjoy them!
If you have any burning questions about studio policies or about the mysteries of pottery, send them to us. We'll answer them here.
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Cone 10 firing scheduled for February 22
A cone 10 reduction firing is planned for Friday, February 22. Wares for the firing will be loaded on Thursday, February 21, so now is the time to get your cone 10 glazing done.
Community studio members and advanced students, earn the blessings of the kiln gods by signing up for a shift firing the gas kiln on February 22. Please let Kay know if you can lend a hand. Email Kay or call her at 734.662.4914
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Brent Model C wheel for sale
 The Brent Model C wheel is recommended for both schools and art centers, is competitively priced, is quiet and solid, and can handle 225 pounds of clay continuously.
This wheel has been lightly used and is in like new condition. The asking price is $1000.00.
If you are interested, contact Kathi Shea at 734-973-6324 or email her. |
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Studio calendar
First Sunday VideoSunday, March 3, 2013, at 4:00 pm.
Raku Firing & Reduction. If you're interested in raku firing, don't miss this 30 minute video! Robert Piepenburg covers the whole process from kiln loading and unloading, lighting the burner, preparation of combustibles, and the stimulating impact of smoking applications on finished pieces.
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Cone ^10 Firing
Friday, February 22.
Wares will be loaded on Thursday, February 21. Volunteers are needed! For details, see the Potters' pipeline in this newsletter.
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Winter 2013 classes
Enrollment is open for the second series of Winter classes that begin in March.
Beginning/Cont. Wheel Throwing
Mar. 7-Apr. 11
Thursdays, 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Instructor: Inge Merlin
Thursdays, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Instructor: Nancy Bulkley
Mar. 11-Apr. 15
Mondays, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Instructor: Kevan Wilson
Coffee & Clay - Hand Building Techniques
Mar. 2-Apr. 6
Saturdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am. Instructor: Nancy Bulkley
Kids Clay Class
Mar. 11-Apr. 8
Mondays, 4:30-5:30 pm. Instructor: Nancy Bulkley
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Yourist Studio Gallery
Inspiring classes and workshops for new and experienced students
Bright, modern, fully equipped community studio workspace Comprehensive selection of pottery tools for sale Gallery exhibiting the works of celebrated artists
1133 Broadway Ann Arbor, MI 734.662.4914 youristpottery.com  |
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