Catching up...

Last weekend was so full that it's hard to tell where bit ended and the week began. Last Saturday the Instructor Exhibition was a full house and the good energy filled the room up!

Sunday was another day in Pittsburgh! Friendship Circle at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Day 2 of making wind chimes with some great kids. Friendship Circle is a program that works to provide children of all ages with a hands on art experience, and they were able to visit ceramics, printmaking, mosaics and more at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts!

Monday morning I met up the Jessica and Alyssa at Schenley Park Ice Rink and we took the Collaborative Community Mosaic that began at Three Rivers Arts Festival to its 6th location...and what a blast! Hundreds of people came out to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. It was great to see Katy from the Center for Creative Reuse and Jeff from SCA!  So many wonderful organizations and volunteers came together to make this great day happen!

This Fall at Touchstone

It's never too early to think about my favorite season, Fall... and there is no place more beautiful than Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands. Save the date for a great weekend workshop! Bring some burnished and bisqued work and we will fire it up!

September 19–21

Primal Pottery

Becky Keck

All Levels | $200

Weekend Workshop

You will begin with basic pinch pot techniques and will progress through traditional and experimental forms in this fast-paced and fun class. Various surface treatments will be explored, including organic material, chemical treatments, terra sigilatta, and masking. Work will be fired overnight in a sawdust firing. Other alternative firing methods may be explored as interest and time allow. You are encouraged to bring 3 to 5 bisque-fired pieces.


Becky Keck began her studies in art at Edinboro University in the 1980s and completed her BA in fine arts at Waynesburg University. She teaches privately and is a frequent regional demonstrator. Her approach to teaching combines the historical uses of clay in the southwestern Pennsylvania region with a more modern sculptural approach to pottery. Becky is the curriculum coordinator for the Washington Community Arts and Cultural Center in Washington, Pennsylvania, and a juried member of the Pittsburgh Society of Artists. Learn more about her work at www.keckpottery.com.
> Weekend workshop dates include check-in and check-out.

> Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Check-in at Blaney Lodge

> Friday, 6:00 p.m.: Meet and Greet, and Orientation at the Dining Hall

> Friday, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Programming in Studios

> Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Programming in Studios

> Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Programming in Studios

> Sunday, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Checkout

  

Register HERE!

Students are welcome to work in studios after the posted workshop hours as long as the instructor or appointed staff member is present. Unfortunately, due to liability risks, students are not permitted to work in the studios without one of these forms of supervision. While staff members and instructors will often be found in the studio during evening hours helping students, they are not obligated to be present after the posted workshop hours. Students are also encouraged to participate in evening activities such as studio demonstrations and the Thursday evening auction. Touchstone asks that all students respect the campus-wide quiet time of 11:00 p.m.

GA/GI Fest 5: Geek Art/Green Innovator's festival Hits 5-year Mi...

GA/GI Fest 5: Geek Art/Green Innovator's festival Hits 5-year Mi...: Since 2010 The Geek Art/Green Innovator's Festival, affectionately known as GAH-gee, has been highlighting and presenting the most uniqu...

Friendship Circle 2014 at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts

This is a group visit where a group of incredible kids rotate through the studios at PCA/
These pictures are from Day 1 of making wind chimes!

Firing with Laura Jean McLaughlin

 One of the highlights of 2013 in my time as the Ceramics Coordinator at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts was to facilitate a raku firing for the amazing Laura Jean McLaughlin. Here is a link to her blog for a wonderful residency project through PF/PCA
 
http://grungar.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/raku-at-the-pittsburgh-center-for-the-arts/

Residency Blogs and Community Projects

As part of my "resolution" to simplify in 2014... Here are the links to past Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Residency Projects .. all in one place..

http://vimeo.com/57222006

2012: This is the 10 week journey of young artists as they see at their environment as Artists and bring their reflections to life as a "multi-media movable mural"

http://muralodeon.blogspot.com/

2012: This 10 week Residency in Rices Landing, Pa was a community project that represents some local legend, pop culture and lots of love! Installation was stalled due to some extenuating circumstances, but is back on track for this year when the weather breaks!

http://riceslandingmural.blogspot.com/

2010 Greene County Historical Society -Pit Fining on site at the beaultiful Greene County Museum in Waynesburg. Photos Courtesy of Pete Zapadka

 Photo courtesy of Pete Zapadka

History Days Greene County Historical Society