A
professional potter for more than 30 years, Bill van Gilder began
his clay work at age 15, as a studio apprentice to the late Byron
Temple. During the following years, he apprenticed in Ireland
and England, and received a degree from Harrow School of Art,
London, England. He then established and managed two large teaching/training
centers in Southern Africa (Lesotho & Swaziland) under the
auspices of The World Bank. Bill returned to the U.S. in 1979
and established a studio and craft gallery atop South Mountain
in Central Maryland, which he continues to operate today.
Van
Gilder has served on the faculty of The
Art League, Alexandria, VA, and is founder/director of The
Frederick Pottery School, Frederick, MD. He currently leads workshops nationally
and internationally, on pottery forming, decorating, and firing
techniques, as well as workshops on kiln
building.
He has recently designed a line of professional potter’s tools (van
Gilder Clay-Tools), available through retailers nationwide.
Bill
also writes a regular ‘Teaching Techniques’ column
for Clay
Times magazine (USA), and is the creator, writer and
host of Throwing
Clay, an internationally televised DIY
Network Television series about making pottery.His clay work
is exhibited and held in collections worldwide. It has been featured
in ceramic periodicals including Clay Times, Ceramics
Monthly, Ceramic Review (UK), Ceramic Arts (China), Sgraffito (S. Africa), and books including 500
Teapots and High Fire Glazes (Lark Books), Salt
Glazing (A&C Black, London), and The Art of American
Ceramics (Krause Books) and more. Van Gilder recently authored Wheel-Thrown Pottery, a cooperative book venture from
Lark Books and the DIY Television Network.
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WORKSHOP INFORMATION - 2010
Bill van Gilder
Workshop title: The Functional Pot: "New" Tips, Tools & Techniques Dates of Workshop: February 19th 20th and 21st
cost: $185 Every potter has a list of what they want to make. How to make it, is often the question.
During this two day, information-loaded, demo-workshop some 50+ pottery making techniques will be demonstrated. Short cuts, tips and tools used at the wheel will be shared through demo after demo.
Throughout 40 yrs. Of making functional pots, I’ve collected hundreds of pottery making techniques used to make specific pots, both wheel-thrown and hand-built.
Demonstrated techniques on the wheel will include:
- Efficient hand positions for throwing
- Simple tools and their use
- Lid arrangements and form
- Spout, rim and lip making and proportions
- Trimming and foot finishing possibilities
-Faceting and fluting as decoration
- Handles and lugs; pulled and hand built
- Making bottle forms; collaring techniques
- Making dinnerware; throwing and trimming
- Making squared and oval baking ware
- Wet, thick slip decoration
- And more . . .
A sampling of forms to be demonstrated:
- Open and lidded casseroles
- Pitcher and pouring pots
-Cups and mugs
- Bowl forms
- Dinnerware
- Bottle forms
Hand-building demonstrations may include:
- Slumped oval slab platter making
- Humped squared plate making
- Foot attachment possibilities; slab, sprigged & coiled
- Textured decoration; wet slip, pressed and resisted textures
Participants are welcome to video & take photos, and are encouraged to bring a notebook.
A discussion about glazes will take place during the workshop. My cone 6 oxidation, cone 8-9-10 gas, and salt/soda wood-firing slips & glaze recipe sheets will be provided to each participants.
Workshops will include a 1 to 2 hr. slide/lecture during the evening hours prior to the start of a weekend workshop. Lunch included each day of
workshop catered by Ortega's South Western Resturaunt, with a limited
menu to chose from. www.ortegas.com
A selection of my potter’s hand-tools (van Gilder Hand-Tools), a
sampling of my current work, copies of my “Wheel-Thrown Pottery” book
and DVDs are made available for participant purchase.
Accommodations for Workshop Participants
The
Tranquil House Inn is located right on the Waterfront in quaint
Downtown Manteo and is surrounded by beautiful boardwalks, sailboats
and the music of Shallowbag Bay lapping the shore. All rates are double
occupancy and include a wine reception each evening and a full
continental breakfast each morning. The workshop rate is $66.00 per
night. Make sure when you call you tell them you are with The Blue Sky
Art Studioto receive the discount rate. The Tranquil House Inn, 405
Queen Elizabeth St, Manteo, North Carolina, 27954 (252) 473-1404
www.1587.com
For further accommodations in Manteo visit www.outerbanks.org
Registration information:
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