Register Now – Deadline extended until June 28
This workshop breaks down the need for expensive equipment or even a stationary studio. Participants will learn how to build their own low-tech, portable, torch-fired kilns from metal garbage cans. This system can be scaled to allow for the firing of large pieces without having access to a big electric kiln. We will also be making some quick vessels from copper foil using common cold connections such as sewing and rivets, then applying liquid-form enamel and firing them in our kilns. This workshop has the potential to expand access to enameling for those who are not ready to make the financial commitment to a large kiln. The immediacy of the vessel techniques provides a means of volumetric construction for those who may not have access to forming tools. Both the kiln and vessels support an immediacy of making, that is not often associated with the preciousness and labor-intensive experience of fine enameling. Artists who do not consider themselves to be enamelists may be attracted to this less demanding entry point. All skill levels welcome.
Ana M. Lopez is a metalsmith, educator and decorative arts scholar. Her creative work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She is the author of the reference book Metalworking Through History: An Encyclopedia, published in the Spring of 2009 by Greenwood Press, as well as numerous other scholarly articles. She organized the 2007 international biennial exhibition of the Enamelist Society, chaired the 2010 Education Dialogue for the Society of North American Goldsmiths annual conference, served as a Beta Site Testing Faculty for the craft textbook Makers: A History of American Studio Craft, served as juror for the 2016 Materials Hard & Soft national exhibition and has lectured extensively on her own work. She holds an MFA in Metalsmithing from the Cranbrook Academy of Art and an MA in the History of American Decorative Arts from The Smithsonian Associates and Parsons School of Design. She is currently Associate Professor and Area Coordinator of Metalsmithing & Jewelry at the University of North Texas where she also teaches The History of Craft.
Find out about how Ana Lopez came to design and build (and fail and build and fail and build and then build again) a large, torch-fired enameling kiln. This article appeared in a 2013 SNAG news blog.
copper teapot ready to be fired in trash can kiln
Workshop Hours:
Wednesday-Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM , with meal breaks
Cost: $375 plus $60 materials fee (participants will each be taking home a small trash can kiln)
Materials List: Provided upon registration or when ready
Registration: Limited to 10
Refund Policy:
No refunds unless your workshop position can be filled by another person.
Lodging, Meals, Transportation:
Coming from out of town? Check AirBnB, Priceline, and other discounted online lodging sources, The Center will try help you make your stay comfortable and stress free while you are a workshop participant.
