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Summer classes, fall preview
This is what motivates us to learn
Isn't this why we take classes: to learn how to see the potential in a lump of clay and turn it into something beautiful and useful with our own hands?
Yourist Studio Gallery summer throwing and hand building classes, as well as the week-long Kids' Clay Mornings, start soon. We also have Try It Once on the Wheel sessions scheduled for June and July. You can enroll for them online right now.
If you're a first-time student in one of our six-week summer classes, don't miss our special offer. Sign up for a class and get a free pottery tool kit that contains an assortment of the basic tools you need to get started.
If you're already planning ahead for fall, you can register now for the Intermediate Wheel Throwing class, which will be taught by Sarah Gelsanliter, or for the Advanced Wheel class with Melinda Mercer, a Liberty Craftworks Artisan at Greenfield Village. Look for more information about Melinda in our next issue.
 A big thank you to Centurium "C" Frost for the wonderful image in this article.
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Returning this fall
Bead-making class a hit
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Judging by our students' comments, our new Beads, Buttons, and Pendants class was a big hit. One student said, "Thank you so much for a wonderful class . . . I looked forward to each class and am ready to sign up for another one." From another student, "I also enjoyed the detail work of making unique beads . . . I would take the class again and recommend it to others." (Click the image to get a closeup view of one of the necklaces this student made in class.) That's why we're offering the class again this fall, just in time for you to make gifts of wearable art for the holidays. The class is scheduled for Sundays, October 5 through November 9, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Sign up now to begin your adventure in ceramic bead and jewelry making.
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Potter's quick tip
Keeping your slip trailers unclogged
Q. I find that the tips of my slip trailers can get clogged when I set them aside from time to time as I work. What can I do to avoid this?
A. You're in luck. Potter Brigitte Lang addressed this very problem in her recent slip trailing demonstration at Yourist Studio Gallery. Her advice: when you put your slip trailer down, don't set it on its end with the tip pointing up. Instead, place it on its side with the tip resting in a small pool of slip. |
| | Brigitte Lang surrounded by the products of her virtuoso slip trailing skills |
Readers, if you have a pottery question for Kay, ask away. And if you want to revisit a past tip, you'll find earlier issues in our studio newsletter archive on the News and Events page of Yourist Studio Gallery web site.
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Special August eventThrow BIG with Jeff Blandford
Here's your chance to learn how to throw big with Jeff Blandford, the Michigan potter who recently made such a splash at NCECA 2014. RNR Ceramics is presenting a two-day, hands-on workshop with Blandford on August 16 through 17, from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, at Yourist Studio Gallery. Seating is limited!
For full details about the workshop, click the image on the right. Send your inquiries about the workshop to RNR Ceramics or call 734-223-0760.
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From the sublime
Meet the Mud Architect
Watch well-known artist and educator William Daley as he creates one of his remarkable sculptural pottery vessels and discusses the inspiration for his work.
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William Daley.
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As Thomas Porett, maker of this video, explains, "The term 'mud architect' refers to both his methodology and the end embodiment of architectural features such as stairway, arches and conduits. His work references a wide variety of religious and cultural concerns that reflect his deeply abiding interest in the history of pottery in all cultures."
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To the not so sublime
That wasn't supposed to happen
As this outtake from the PBS documentary The Art of Pottery shows, pottery catastrophes can happen to even the most experienced of us, including Mitch Messina, Professor of Art at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. Fortunately, they don't happen to most of us on camera!
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Oops, never mind
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Studio calendar
Postponed: First Sunday Video
Our First Sunday Video is on vacation while we continue to clean and reorganize the studio. We'll let you know as soon as it returns, when we'll have a brand new video monitor to watch on!
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Tool time class
Kay's secrets for making stunning trays. On Sunday, June 15, at 4:30 pm, Kay Yourist will demonstrate her techniques for making trays that are both lovely and practical. She'll let you in on her tray-making secrets, including what tools she uses to get outstanding results.
This demo is free and open to the public. On Sunday only, those who attend the demo will receive 10% their entire tool purchase.
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Next cone 10 firing
The next gas kiln firing is tentatively set for Tuesday, June 24. We will load the kiln on Monday, June 23. Please start getting your work ready now so we can fill the kiln.
To volunteer to help with the firing, call Kay at 734-662-4914.
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Miss something?
Visit our newsletter archive to catch up with these favorite videos from our May newsletter:
Tips from potter Bill van Guilder for simple ways to add interest to bowl shapes.
Sam Brennan showing how to make a clay object that behaves like a spring. Merete Rasmussen making one of her flowing, ribbon-like sculptures.
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Upcoming classes
Summer classes start soon. Sign up now on our web site.
Beginning/Cont. Wheel Throwing
Jun 16-Jul 21Mondays, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Instructor: Kevan O. Wilson Jun 19-Jul 24Thursdays, 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Instructor: Nancy Bulkley
Coffee and ClayJun 21-Jul 26Saturdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am. Instructor: Nancy Bulkley Kids Clay Mornings Jun 23-27Monday-Friday, 9:30 to 11:00 am. Instructor: Nancy Bulkley
Try it Once on the Wheel
Jun 14, July 12
Saturday, 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Instructor: Shannon Nelson
Coming this fall!
Advanced WheelSep 10-Dec 10Wednesday, 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Instructor: Melinda Mercer
Intermediate Wheel Throwing Sep 23-Nov 25Tuesday, 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Instructor: Sarah Gelsanliter
Beads, Buttons, and PendantsOct 5-Nov 9Sunday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Instructor: Jeanine Center Visit our class schedule to learn more and enroll.
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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
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Free pottery tool kit for new students
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Special offer for first-time students at the Yourist Studio Gallery. Sign up for one of our
6-week summer courses and receive a free pottery tool kit that contains an assortment of the basic tools you'll need, such as a sponge, ribs, clay cutter, pin tool, and carving tools.
| | Offer applies to Summer 2014 classes only |
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