Description
Taught by Natalia Arbelaez
Sunday, October 15th from 11am - 6pm
In this one-day workshop participants will work with Colombian American artist, Natalia Arbelaez, to create simple, reusable armatures to model figures/creatures. We will begin the class with making wooden armatures that have interchangeable capacity to model 2 or 4 legged creatures. From there we will model around the armatures using the solid method that will then be hollowed out.
Participants will learn how to make anthropomorphic and/or zoomorphic creatures in clay. With the use of reusable armatures and other simple single use armatures participants will learn how to make quick and gestural figures. While these forms are rooted in Natalia’s research of pre-Columbian art, fun and play are an integral part of the studio. Surface treatment will also be demonstrated, from adding washes to using Majolica glaze to bring color and line to a piece.
This is a workshop that uses basic techniques that can be used from rudimentary forms to more complex detailed forms, all levels welcomed.
Participants have the option to take their pieces home to continue working on them and bring them back at a later date for firing, or leave finished pieces to be bisque fired, or fired to temperature (cone 2). All pieces will be ready for pick up within 3-4 weeks of completion.
This workshop will begin with a short artist talk in which Natalia will share her approach, inspiration and process in making her own work.
All tools and materials are included, participants are also encouraged to bring their own tools. This workshop will take place at Sooki Studio, located in East Los Angeles, 15 minutes east of Downtown.
Photos courtesy of Natalia Arbelaez.
Instructor
Natalia Arbelaez is a Colombian American artist, born and raised in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents. She received her B.F.A. from Florida International University and her M.F.A. from The Ohio State University, with an Enrichment Fellowship. In 2016-2017 she was a Rittenberg Fellow at Clay Art Center; Port Chester, New York and was awarded the Inaugural Artaxis Fellowship that funded a residency to Watershed in Newcastle, ME.
Her work has been exhibited internationally, in museums, galleries, and included in various collections, such as the Everson Museum, MAD Museum, Fuller Museum and The ICA Miami. She has been recognized by NCECA as a 2018 Emerging Artist and was a 2018-19 resident artist at the Ceramics Program at Harvard University where she researched pre-Columbian art and histories. Natalia was an artist in residence at the Museum of Art and Design in New York City where she researched the work of historical and influential women ceramicists of color and continued this research as a 2021 and 2023 Visiting Artist at AMOCA in Pomona, CA. She lives and works in The Mid-Hudson Valley region in NY.
Sliding Scale Pricing
Sliding scale pricing is a tool for social equity. We use sliding scale pricing to make ceramics education accessible and affordable to all.
There are three tiers for pricing, when signing up for a workshop, please pay on the scale what feels right to you and your current finances. This is a trust based system, only you will know what feels comfortable and possible.
The high end of the scale is the true cost. If you are someone who can afford to pay this, please do, as this offsets the price for others, allowing us to create more affordable offerings.
There are a set amount of spaces available per tier to ensure that the scale is balanced and workshop costs are covered. If a tier is sold out it means that all those spots have been spoken for. An interest free payment plan is available for all workshops, breaking the workshop cost down to smaller payments over a longer period of time.
We do our best to ensure workshops are accessible and affordable. We are continuously improving our pricing system, please reach out if you have any questions or ideas you'd like to share.
Accessibility
Workshops take place in the studio garden. There are two sets of stairs, 3 steps each, leading to the workshop area. A bathroom is available for workshop participants. For any additional questions on accessibility, please reach out.
Cancellation Policy
Workshops are non-refundable, if you do need to cancel I will try my best to fill the spot, in which case I can offer a refund, however this is not guaranteed. If you are unable to attend the workshop you may transfer your spot to another person.
COVID Protocol
Participants are encouraged to take at home Covid tests prior to the workshop to ensure collective safety. As we're working in a very well ventilated environment, masks are optional. If you are experiencing any Covid like symptoms or have been exposed to someone with Covid, please stay home and get in touch.