Kutztown University Summer Studio Workshop

Day 1: Today was the first meeting of the Craft in America Kutztown University Summer Studio Workshops and what an inspiring start we had!

Jeff Oestreich and Chloe Darke, artists in clay and metal respectively, are leading this week’s workshops, which got off to a very lively start.

Jeff Oestreich began the session this morning by distributing his new work: dishtowels!  Jeff used the towels, which are infused with meaning by the incorporation of meaningful swatches of fabric which he incorporated into the construction of the towels, to describe his first mantra: SCP: Stories, Connecting and Passing on the joy.  These are the same precepts he uses in his ceramic work.

Jeff Oestreich dishtowel
Jeff Oestreich dishtowel

Jeff’s second mantra is “Don’t fall in love with your ideas.”  Then Jeff led us through several processes involved in his work.  He threw and altered many pots, which inspired the participants in the workshop to then make pots and alter them.  Jeff gave a presentation about his work that inspired all of us.

Kutztown Institute
Kutztown Institute
Kutztown Institute
Kutztown Institute

The day ended with a raffle.  Jason, an art teacher from Pennsylvania, won the Jeff Oestreich signature pitcher.  Needless to say, Jason was very happy!

Jeff Oestreich with raffle winner
Jeff Oestreich with raffle winner, Jason

Day 2: By the second day in the pottery studio, everyone was deeply involved in projects and re-learning techniques that they had not used in quite a while. We all stopped to watch Jeff Oestreich assemble one of his signature beaked pitchers, first cutting and altering a cylinder he had made the first day of class, then making and supplying the long, notched spout and pulling a very sculptural handle.

Jeff altering a cylinder to make a beaked pitcher
Jeff altering a cylinder to make a beaked pitcher
Jeff fashioning a beaker for his pitcher
Jeff fashioning a beaker for his pitcher
Jeff pulling a handle on his beaker pitcher
Jeff pulling a handle on his beaker pitcher
Jeff impressing his stamp on the pitcher
Jeff impressing his stamp on the pitcher
Jeff's seal
Jeff’s seal

The most interesting part of the day was the “Show and Tell” session at the end of class. The teachers/participants each presented one piece they made and discussed their ideas and the methods they used to carry out their ideas. Then Jeff gave his critique, which helped the teachers to plan a way forward with their work.

"Show and Tell" a critique on the participants' work
“Show and Tell” a critique on the participants’ work
Summer Institute participant looking at her creation
Summer Institute participant looking at her creation
Jeff talking with art teachers
Jeff talking with art teachers
Dinner for the teacher/participants at Marilyn Stewart's home
Dinner for the teacher/participants at Marilyn Stewart’s home

Considering that many of the teachers had not worked in clay for several years, their work demonstrated their talents. We will now have two days with Chloe Darke in the metals studio. This will be a new experience!

Day 3: Chloe says that sometimes the spoon looks like an ugly baby when it’s being worked.

Meet Chloe Darke
Meet Chloe Darke
Gluing pattern to form
Gluing pattern to form
Cutting off excess metal
Cutting off excess metal
Filing excess metal using a coping saw
Filing excess metal using a coping saw
Filing sharp edges
Filing sharp edges
Chloe demonstrating on the anvil
Chloe demonstrating on the anvil
Roughing out the spoon
Roughing out the spoon
Chloe describes the use of the planishing hammer for smoothing the metal
Chloe describes the use of the planishing hammer for smoothing the metal
Planishing the handle
Planishing the handle
Forming the spoon bowl on the stump
Forming the spoon bowl on the stump
Forming the bowl of the spoon on the stake
Forming the bowl of the spoon on the stake
Shaping the stem on a maple form
Shaping the stem on a maple form
Chloe talking to teachers
Chloe talking to teachers
Chloe annealing the spoon
Chloe annealing the spoon

Day 4: 

Show and Tell: Courtney showing Marilyn her creation
Show and Tell: Courtney showing Marilyn her creation
Sawing off extra metal
Sawing off extra metal
Discussing the cut-out
Discussing the cut-out
The processes of metalwork being discussed
The processes of metalwork being discussed
Caroline assists Chloe and makes it all possible
Caroline assists Chloe and makes it all possible
Kelly has sketched out her design
Kelly has sketched out her design
Spoon about to be drill-pressed
Spoon about to be drill-pressed
Nick and spoon #2. Spoon #1 got a hole in it.
Nick and spoon #2. Spoon #1 got a hole in it.
For Mallory, it's all about the "subtle curves!"
For Mallory, it’s all about the “subtle curves!”
Dueling hammers
Dueling hammers
Tanya and the long handle
Tanya and the long handle
Mallory going for wide
Mallory going for wide
Chloe showing Roseanne the best way to file
Chloe showing Roseanne the best way to file
Katie and Chloe
Katie and Chloe
Tom filing the rough edges of the spoon
Tom filing the rough edges of the spoon
Dean Bill Mowder visiting the class
Dean Bill Mowder visiting the class
Carol with her "ugly baby"
Carol with her “ugly baby”
Designing the spoon
Designing the spoon
Lunchtime talk with Marilyn Stewart and Michael Radyk, fiber professor at Kutztown
Lunchtime talk with Marilyn Stewart and Michael Radyk, fiber professor at Kutztown
Courtney made a pair of earrings from extra copper and added patina on both!
Courtney made a pair of earrings from extra copper and added patina on both!
"I was surprised by the ambition and the designs everyone came up with." - Chloe Darke
“I was surprised by the ambition and the designs everyone came up with.” – Chloe Darke
The Teachers/Artists
The Teachers/Artists