The RAL Pottery Studio Grows

Hello Friends of the RAL Pottery Studio,

We thought you would want to know about events taking place at the RAL Pottery Studio. The RAL has expanded RAL members’ access to the studio to Tues. and Thurs. from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After Jan. 1, 2010, the fee for Open Studio hours will depend on the amount of time you use the studio. The fee will be $2.00 per hour (or any portion of the hour) with a maximum fee of $10.00 per day. Also, the fee for clay, glazing and firing will remain the same as in the past ($25 for 25 lbs. of clay, which includes the glazing and two firings). An “a la carte menu” will be provided for those members who wish purchase clay for use in their home studios, or want to use glazes or the firing facilities of the studio. The clay is available for $15.00 per 25 lb. bag. Glazing and firing in the studio will be determined by the cubic inch volume of the pieces to be glazed or fired. The cost for glazing only will be $.03 per cubic inch. The cost for the combined two firings will be $.03 per cubic inch.

We are also implementing a new plan for managing the studio, which we think will improve the experience of studio users and make our work there more productive. Included in the plan is purchasing more equipment, expanding the physical space of the studio and providing more structure for its use in terms of monitoring and maintaining the studio. Volunteer studio monitors will be available to assist you in the various ways you can use the facilities and facilitate fee payments and studio maintenance.

As mentioned, the plan will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2010 in conjunction with the beginning of the Art League’s 2010 schedule of classes. It is directed toward making the studio a place where you can explore the possibilities in clay work, improve your skills and enjoy the company of others with similar interests. In addition, it is the intent of the Art League to provide you with a well-run facility to pursue your goals. To implement the plan we are asking all members to review the Studio guidelines (available in the studio), register their agreement by signing the Studio Users Form on their first visit after the Jan. 1 start up, and provide to their monitor or instructor.

We have also started a blog to communicate with RAL Pottery Studio users. Check the following site to see various messages regarding ongoing Studio events and activities.

http://ralpotterystudio.blogspot.com/

We also have a calendar online to inform you of pottery classes and studio events at:

http://www.google.com/calendar/render?gsessionid=t_trlvuonVgMt6vEVmJRUg

You may want to bookmark this site to refer back to the calendar in the future. If you have any problems accessing either of these resources, contact Wes at wesnerstack@comcast.net.

Happy Holidays and hope to see you in the studio.

RAL visits the Frederick Pottery School

On Nov. 2 Kim Klabe, Education Director of the RAL, and several members of the RAL Clay Studio (Pam Blessinger, Carmela Coleman, Barbara Crowl, Jeff Stickle, Wes Stack and Mike Wells) visited Bill Van Gilder's Frederick Pottery School to learn about Bill's organization and procedures for an ongoing educational program for clay work. Although the mission of both organizations differ somewhat, Bill's information and advice provided the group with a good deal of food for thought. More to follow... here's some photos of Bill's operation:

 

A view of the wash tubs and clay traps in the studio as well as the water bucket and sponge station.

 

Wheels in the studio with benches. Note also the benches cover the electrical power supplies. Student cubbies on the right line the wall. The School now has 76 students.

Back room area with student's ware either fired or waiting for next firing. All pieces are organized by the class. Mike and Carmela are in front of the kiln. The pottery school runs only one kiln, but it must be running constantly.

Entry to the school. Clay is delivered and stored where it can be distributed easily.

Can't see the pug mill very well, but it's used to recycle clay. A third of the clay used by students is recycled with the pug mill and re-sold at a reasonable rate. 

SDAL Clay Class Does Raku Firing

On Friday, Oct. 23 Amie Sloan's SDAL class met at the Second Chance to do a raku firing. The weather cooperated, the fire was hot and, of course, we ate well. Here are some pictures of the class members and the process.

Here's the organizer!

Arts and Crafts Shows

A reminder for members interested in arts and crafts shows in our area. If you know of others, send me an email and I'll get the information on the blog.

Upcoming Arts and Crafts Shows

RAL Holiday Fair

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009

Rehoboth Art League

Children’s Beach House

Fri.-Sun., Dec. 4-6

Lewes, De

2009 DBH Holiday Show
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Various buildings in Milton, DE
10 am - 5 pm Rain or Shine

Glaze Tests 10.10.09

Glaze tests 10.10.09

 

This Jade is the same as below. However, it interacted with the Nutmeg in a predictable way

This isn't a good example but this combination can produce great colors.

Another example of BTBT over Jade. Again, the jade application was too light.

This combination works well. The Licorice was very eve

Randy's Red is a nice glaze which produces interesting variegated colors.

This combination is not very interesting, but shows what happens when Nutmeg is applied too thick. The result is just a dark brown.

A very nice contrast. The Nutmeg and Byrne were applied in two separate dips. You can see the intereaction between the two in the narrow band where they overlapped.

Glazes renewed in the studio

Kate, Carmela and Wes made new glazes in the studio in the last week.  Kate sieved them on Tues., Oct. 6, so they are available for use. They have not been tested yet so use at your peril. Tests will be forthcoming and pictures of glaze tests will be posted here on the blog when we next fire them.  The glazes available in the studio  presently are Gloria's, Milky Blue, New Blue, Clear (see Carmela's note on the bucket lid), Byrne, Ketchup, Randy's Red, Licorice, BTBT, Nutmeg and Jade. We are looking for a substitute for Goldenrod as it is prohibitively expensive. The Monk's Bronze Green is also not reliable as a standalone glaze, but can be used in some combinations. We will be looking for a substitute for it as it has become a problem glaze in recent batches.