Archive for workshops

Opalescent Grisaille with Mer Almagro (online)

                       

Join enamellist Mer Almagro as she teaches her specialty- Opalescent Grisaille! In this LIVE interactive online workshop, Mer will walk you through the intricacies and steps of how to create beautiful pieces in the distinctive grisaille style.

Mer will be your guide as you explore a vitreous enamel technique with rich history, grisaille, in its 20th century incarnation developed by Andreu Vilasís. We will utilize beautiful, semi-translucent opalescent enamels to build volume in a delicate low relief on the traditional dark blue background. The results are magical and enchanting.

This is an advanced enamelling technique. Some experience wet-packing enamels is required. Drawing or painting experience is recommended.

Kilns are required for this course. This class uses leaded enamels. 

 

REGISTER HERE!

 

 

 

Mer Almagro trained in artistic vitreous enamel over metals at the Llotja academy, beginning in the early 90’s, under tutelage and mentorship of Andreu Vilasís & Núria L. Ribalta. Barcelona is her hometown, an inspiration growing up. Her greatest muse, however, is always nature.
She is a bit of a nerdy enamelist, and loves how there’s always something more to learn.

 

 

 

 

Workshop Hours:

Saturdays and Sundays 9 AM to 12 NOON Pacific Time, January 15, 16, 22, and 23 2022

Cost: $375

Materials List: Provided after registration

Registration: Maximum of 15

Refund Policy: No refunds unless your workshop position can be filled by another person.

 

Separation Oil in Enamels with Gabrielle Castonguay (online)

         

Join world-renowned enamelist Gabrielle Castonguay for a two-day LIVE online intensive workshop on the use of separation oils with enamels.

Separation oil provokes a chemical reaction on the surface of enamel by modifying its viscosity, forcing expansion of the surface and allowing the underneath enameled layers to show. 

It is a powerful, fun and unique effect that helps enhance contrasts between transparents, opaques, and textures. When separation oil is applied accordingly to the requirements of the material it allows the enamelist to explore and play with stimulating effects of light and surfaces.

Whether you work large or small, separation oil opens up a world of possibilities for your work!

ALL LEVELS WELCOME! Prior enameling experience is recommended, kilns are required for this class.

REGISTER HERE!

Gabrielle S. Castonguay is an enamelist from Montréal, impassioned by enameling since the age of eleven when she started learning the art from one of the lead master enamelists in Quebec, Canada. She studied and graduated from Fine Arts, Theatre and Design programs from local Colleges and Concordia University in Montréal. For many years now Gabrielle has been back working as a full time enamelist, the essence of her true passion and the expression of her artistic engagement.

Her work is well known and well regarded in North America as well as the larger international enameling field. She specializes in enameling wall pieces, sculptures, vessels and integration of enameled metal pieces in design/architectural work. She was a faculty member of the Richmond Art Center, Richmond, California, teaching the art of enamel from 2012 to 2014. She has exhibited in Canada, Europe, the USA and Japan, and her work is part of private collections in Canada, the USA, South America and Europe. She co-curated the national Canadian Enamel Exhibition 2013: “Fire and Fusion”. She has been awarded several grants for her work over the years.

 

 

 

Workshop Hours:

Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 5PM Pacific Time, 1 hour break in the middle of the day. 

September 10 & 11, 2021

Cost: $375

Materials List: Provided after registration

Registration: Maximum of 15

Refund Policy: No refunds unless your workshop position can be filled by another person.

Pattern Forming and Enameling on Dimensional Surfaces with Nash Quinn (online)

Pattern Forming and Enameling on Dimensional Surfaces 

In this workshop, join Nash Quinn as we explore the ways a flat sheet of metal can be transformed into a volumetric object using nothing but a jeweler’s saw and a carefully-designed template.  No soldering! Once formed, these vessels can be enameled using low-tech methods for adhering enamel to vertical surfaces. Finally, we will cover strategies for enhancing the finished enameled vessel, including basic silver fabrication and cold connection methods. This versatile technique of forming can be scaled up and down and opens a wide world of possibilities for three-dimensional enameling! 

This online LIVE interactive class focuses on design, technique, and craft.  Nash will walk you through the layout, cutting, forming, and enameling of these vessels step-by-step as you work alongside him in your own studio. Students can expect to complete at least one vessel during the class.

Students of all skill levels welcome, previous experience using a jeweler’s saw and basic enamel sifting and kiln firing is highly recommended. This class is not suitable for torch firing, kilns only– kilns should have a minimum interior firing chamber of 4″x4″x4″.

                             

Register HERE!

 

Nash Quinn is a metalsmith who works with a variety of materials, techniques, and formats.  Originally from Wyoming, he received his BFA from the University of Wyoming, and his MFA from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He was a faculty member at Rowan University and Munson Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, and has worked, taught, and exhibited artwork at craft schools and jewelry academies nationwide.

 

 

Workshop Hours:

Saturday and Sunday  10 AM to 5PM Pacific, 2 hour lunch break

February 6, and 7, 2021

Cost: $375

Materials List: Provided after registration

Registration: Maximum of 15

Refund Policy: No refunds unless your workshop position can be filled by another person.

Sgraffito Play Day at the Annex

Registration is Now Full.

Please contact to be put on a waitlist for this event.

Sgraffito is a wonderful  drawing technique using vitreous liquid enamel.  All artists in all media are welcome to try it for a day. The use of liquid enamel to glaze steel in high heat can provide the potential for creating larger pieces that are virtually indestructible for outdoor installations and functional objects. The Center for Enamel Art Annex, situated within KVO Industries provides a great way to create within and with the enamel industry, using industrial equipment and supplies. This one day play day is the first in a series that Center for Enamel Art will be sponsoring to explore various rendering techniques in this medium with well-known ceramicist/metal artist, Todd Barrickclow, who is known for his black on white sgraffito clay work. No previous enameling or metalworking experience is necessary.

Participants will start off the day by  spraying several small 5″ x  7″ white-coated steel tiles with a solid  contrasting color. After working smaller there will be the option to work in larger formats and add overglaze color to sgraffitoed images.

Where:
The Center for Enamel Art Annex inside KVO Industries, an industrial enamel firm in Santa Rosa, CA.

When:
Saturday, January 18, 9 AM to 4 PM

Cost: $150 including all materials, additional materials will be available for sale.

Limit 10 participants
Deadline for registration is January 12th.

 

Todd Barrricklow was born in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California in June of 1969. He is the eldest son of two. His parents were marionette making school teachers and long time vendors at the renaissance fair. Encouraged in the arts from an early age, he attended a humanities magnet high school where he started working in ceramics and drawing. He continued his education at Sonoma State University where he graduated with distinction in 1992. He was an Artist in Residence in the Arts/Industry Program at the Kohler Company in Wisconsin in 1999. He shows regularly and works from his studio and home in Santa Rosa, where he works in Ceramics, Printmaking and Metal.

Color, Light and Line – A Workshop with Linda Darty

THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL.
We are not taking waitlist names at this time

Explore the rich beauty of cloisonné enameling over copper or fine silver, working with transparent color on small jewelry scale pieces. Working primarily on simple shapes and pre-cut pieces, we will focus on blending colors to achieve value gradations, luminosity and depth, creating beautiful gem like surfaces. Foils can be used beneath colors to create special effects. We will also discuss matte finishing techniques and setting options unique to enameling. Students will be challenged to work at their own level of experience. Expect to complete one or two small cloisonné pieces during this four day workshop.
All levels welcome.

Linda Darty is a jewelry professor at East Carolina University and founder and director of the Italy Intensives study abroad program in Tuscany, where she currently lives and teaches. She has exhibited extensively abroad, is the author of The Art of Enameling, and frequently teaches workshops on enameling in the U.S. and internationally. Linda is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for research from East Carolina University, the Board of Governors Award for teaching excellence and the Life Time Achievement Award from The Enamelist Society. Her work is in public and private collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Art and Design in NYC.

Workshop Hours:

Thursday-Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM , with meal breaks at Silvera Jewelry School

Cost: $785 plus $50 materials fee

Materials List: Provided upon registration or when ready

Registration: Limited to 9 after participating in the registration lottery

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.