What an interesting summer it has been so far. The first summer semester, basically the month of June, we had 21 students. For the most part there was excellent work being done. Some folks had a hard time with the intensity of the short time period and didn't plan well enough to get work done in-time for glazing and other finishing. Other folks went crazy making work. These students clearly were energized by the intensity of the program and the many hours spent in the studio charged them up and gave them licence to experiment and produce lots of works. Not that everything has been stellar. I think no matter how motivated someone is they have good stuff and crappy stuff. The crappy stuff is necessary on the way to the good stuff, but in the end it's all important to make and be seen. All in all I was happy with the final results and saw many challenges overcome with some good production and quality works.
In the second part of the summer, or semester two in the month of July, 13 students stayed on to continue the work started earlier. Some of the same issues arose, the main one being a struggle to keep up production after so many weeks of working hard. Keeping new ideas coming can also be a struggle. I have encouraged all the students to have multiple projects going so they don't burn out on any one thing. Production has dropped off in general, but I have also seen more quality in some student's work and that's a good thing. In addition I posted some information about a national juried teapot competition coming up and now many students are making teapots with plans on entering the competition. There are some really well done tea pots, all unique and representational of the artist makers.
I was very skeptical earlier this summer as to how two intense summer courses would work out, especially back to back, but I am pleasantly surprised. There is a wonderful energy happening with the students, a real core of artists is developing and I am seeing a great camaraderie that is beginning to define the sculpture program in a way I have not seen before. I am really hoping this energy works it's way into the fall semester and beyond. I think the 3D program is super (I am biased in that way!) and for many folks- students, staff and at least this faculty member, it really is beginning to feel like a real working studio. It's been hard work keeping everything going but it has been so very worth it!
I'll post some pictures of finished work at the end of July.
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