Marc Digeros at Lillstreet

Marc Digeros conducted a two-day workshop on Handbuilding with Soft Slabs at Lillstreet on September 24th and 25th.  Soft slabs are difficult to maneuver in that it does not want to stay upright or keep its shape.  The natural tendency for soft slab is to collapse in on itself.  During this workshop, Marc showed the participants that there are many desirable qualities gained when building with soft slabs.  Marc used a combination of paper patterns, templates and drop molds to make predominantly functional forms.  During these two days, Marc spent a large part of the day on demos.  On Saturday, September 24th, March also presented a slide show on his career and shared with the artist community at Lillstreet about his inspiration and process.

Paper Pattern

Other than construction techniques, Marc will also focus on surface decoration considerations and discuss the aesthetic of the slab built form.

Some of the workshop participants:

Marc Digeros received his MFA from the University of Washington and his BFA from the University of Minnesota. He has taught at schools in the Los Angeles area including CSU (California State University) Northridge, CSU Long Beach, as well as the University of Southern California.  To see more of Marc’s work, please visit his website. 

Workshop work in progress:

Completed piece:

Other work by Marc:

Coming up... Visiting Artist Workshop

Kensuke Yamada: Figuring Out

During this two-day workshop we will create unique, original, story-telling figurative works. Stories can come from childhood tales, comic books, movies, and your own personal experience. Kensuke will show his hand-building techniques to make figurative forms. We will start this workshop with your stories and drawings, then transform them into ceramic figurative sculpture. Kensuke will demonstrate basic hand building techniques and work with students to make a ceramic figure in their own unique way. Some hand building experience is necessary and figure drawing experience helpful, but all levels are welcome.

Artist Bio:

Kensuke Yamada was born in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan and received his MFA at the University of Montana. He received his BA at Evergreen State College in Washington. Kensuke’s exaggerated playful figurative work has been exhibited nationally and he most recently received the 2009-2010 MJD Archie Bray Foundation Fellowship Award.

Saturday, August 06, 2011 to Sunday, August 07, 2011
10am-5pm

$250

Gallery Talks with Artists in Residence

Come and hear the Lillstreet Artists-in-Residence talk about their work. Feel free to ask questions about their techniques, processes and thoughts behind the work they make!

This Saturday July 16th, 1:00 - 4:30pm in the Lillstreet Gallery

1:00 - Ashely Gilreath; Metalsmithing & Jewelry
1:20 - Gabriella D'Italia; Textiles

1:40 - Sontra Stala; Artist at Large

2:00 - Jess Riva Cooper; Ceramics

Break

3:00 - Kristina Paabus; Painting & Drawing

3:20 - Dobrila Pintar; Glass

3:40 - Joe Panizzo; Digital Arts & Photography

4:00 - Michelle Sallemi; Metalsmithing & Jewelry

Momoko!

You can follow former Artist in Residence Momoko Usami as she builds her new home and studio here!

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Falbinoleviathan.blogspot.com%2F&h=8291f

Spotlight on Scuplture

Just before spring classes started we had a chance to sit down with Sergio Ceron's Figure Sculpture class and the Self Portrait in Clay class taught by Robin Power.

Sergio has been a part of the Lillstreet Art Center community for years, having studying fine Arts at the Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City. When asked to describe the class students said "Sergio gives positive feedback, never negative criticism" and that the class works well because "there is no competition, all cooperation." When asked: why sculpture? the answer came easily - "In the end, it's learning to see."

Robin's background is in classic figure sculpture and anatomy having studies at the School of the Art Institute. Her students raved about the positive learning environment, fresh perspective, and opportunities for self discovery that Robin presented to them.


Summer classes start tomorrow! Consider expanding your horizons by taking a four week sculpture class- Figure Sculpture with Sergio Ceron, or Bas Relief with Robin Power. Come July take and eight week Figure Sculpture class with Sergio or a Figure in Costume class with Robin. Maybe a one day workshop is a better fit for your summer schedule? Check out Robin's August 13 Hand Study Workshop.

Call for Artists (That's You!)

Check out three great opportunites!

RAW SPACE – A Pop-up Gallery Show
Theme: Inside Outside
A Ravenswood ArtWalk/RAWednesday Event
Open to Chicago area residents working in any medium.
Location: Prak-sis Gallery 1917 Irving Park Road
Exhibition: May 18th – June 1st
Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 18th 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Closing Reception: Friday, June 3rd 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Submission Deadline: May 15th
Send up to 5 images (JPEG, 1MB or less per image) titled with your name, “johndoe1”, “johndoe2”. Email must include:
Artist Name / Title / Size / Medium / Price / Phone /Email
To: moranstudios@hotmail.com
Notification: May 15th by email or phone of which works are accepted.
Drop-off: May 16th 1:00 - 7:00 PM or May 17th 9:00 - 11:00 AM at Prak-sis Gallery 1917 Irving Park Road
Installation: May 17th starting at noon. Call Bill Moran at 773-543-9256 if you are interested in assisting with installation.
Installation Fee: $20 for first piece / $15 each additional piece.
Limit 3 works. Fee due at drop-off. Checks made payable to Ravenswood ArtWalk.
Commission: 90% artist 10% RAW donation suggested

Pick-up: June 6th
Curator: Bill Moran

Lillstreet's Fourth Annual International Exhibition: Below the Surface
We are accepting applications for all functional vessels and vessels referencing function that pay special attention to surface treatment.

The exhibition will run from August 26th - September 18th.

All Applications must be received by July 15th!
To apply, please submit a maximum of 3 images and a $35 application fee to:http://www.lillstreet.slideroom.com/
This years Juror is Matthew Metz:
Matthew Metz has been a making his living as a studio potter for the last 20 years. He shares a home and studio in Alfred Station, NY with potter/educator Linda Sikora. Awards he has received include a NEA Crafts Fellowship, and two McKnight Fellowships. He shows and sells his pottery throughout the U.S. and internationally- including the St. Croix Potter’s tour, the Old Church Pottery Show, and the Philadelphia Craft Show.

musing about mud: Call for submissions - 500 Prints on Clay:

Lark Ceramics is publishing an exciting new ceramics book in our 500 series, and we would like you to submit images for consideration. ...

Gary Jackson and a Glimps of Soda

Gary Jackson, ceramics teacher and Lillstreet studio member extraordinaire, recently fired up the soda kiln at Lillstreet. He did a great job documenting the experience and it seemed only right to share it.

Glaze. Wad. Load.

Electrical Hiatus

It Worked...

Enjoy!