Two days of hand-carving technique and stone carving lore introduce the beginner to reductive art-making and three-dimensional thinking. Use of the Studio’s tools and a moderate piece of Vermont marble are included in the fee. Discussions of safe studio practices and stone and tool sourcing help make this two-day course an excellent initiation to the craft of stone sculpture.
Have you ever wanted to carve in Alabaster but felt that the idea was a bit daunting? Beginners will discuss how to simplify the challenges of working with a piece of stone. Participants will be taught how to use basic stone carving tools and techniques to create a simple and elegant sculpture from a moderate piece of alabaster provided by the Studio. Safe stone carving practices plus stone and tool sources will round out the weekend and leave you wanting to come back for more. (beginner/intermediate)
In this workshop participants will learn the fundamentals of gas, arc, and MIG welding, oxy-fuel cutting, bending, and forging, and surface treatments of steel. Participants will acquire a working technique of welding that can immediately be applied to the creation of art. Additionally, an ongoing discussion of the history of sculpture and the origins of welded sculpture will inform the class and serve as a point of departure. The class will take advantage of the environment the Carving Studio and Sculpture Center offers - its large resource of scrap steel, and the open-air studio to work freely in various sizes. While experimentation and collaboration will be encouraged, the objective of the five-day course is to enable the participant to confidently execute basic welding techniques to construct sculptural objects. (beginner/intermediate)
Stone Carving is one of our oldest sculptural traditions. The acts of percussion and abrasion in stone with the intent of removing the "excess" in order to find the desired core form is a primal act as we are working with the very substance of the earth itself. This course will serve as an introduction to the subtractive methods of carving where you will complete an "in the round" sculpture in marble which explores the three-dimensional language of mass and space by employing traditional and contemporary carving tools. Elements of sculptural form discussed and applied to our study will include mass & space relationships, volume, surface planes, transitional forms, and textural variety. This workshop is open to all levels of skill. (all levels)
Students will learn technical and practical methods used to manipulate float glass into objects of their own design (Examples: jewelry, dishes, sculpture and wall art). The course begins with the basic process of fusing float glass together followed by more extensive methods of thermoforming and casting. The course is beneficial to those wishing to acquire skills in this area for the first time and to those already familiar with the basics. Methods covered: Fusing (Tack Fusing, Full Fusing), Inclusion, Slumping (thermoforming), Plaster impression molds, Lost wax casting, Color enamels, Working with temper glass, making glass frit.
The variety of techniques and media available
to today’s sculptor makes the range of
possibilities for mold making and casting an
exciting adventure. This workshop will explore
everything from the most traditional technique
of relief casting with plaster to the more
sophisticated process of building two-part
rubber molds for works in the round.
With the flexible mold, we are able to realize
complex forms that would not be possible
with the rigid mold, and these new materials
lend themselves to the further production
of “multiples.” Multiples enable us to make
variations on an original or in a repeated
installation. Plaster is the most traditional
and efficient way to instant gratification
but we will also experiment with a range of
non-traditional materials and add-mixes to
create our own customized casting compound
that can be finished in various patina effects.
June 18-22
This course provides technical skills and an
aesthetic vocabulary for students using kinetic
and robotic devices in their work. Students
will build a simple kinetic device that explores
issues of mechanical and natural movement
followed by a second project that explores
the uses of micro-controllers connected to
motors, gears, sound, lights, and sensors.
The first project will be made of wood and
found materials. The second project will
introduce rudimentary electronics and simple
programming that can be used to alter the
behavior of devices they have constructed.
This workshop is geared towards the homeowner or novice of any age/gender who wishes to learn the basic principles behind building a dry-laid stonewall. Hands-on practice will provide participants with an overview of aesthetic and practical considerations behind constructing a wall. Stone selection and placement – either “by eye” or with the aid of a level and a string – will be introduced. Tool techniques will include the use of a crow bar, hand chisels and hammer to yield dramatic results.(beginner/intermediate)
In this class we will explore the art of stone sculpture as a relationship between the artist and the medium. This means that we will try to determine, through a practical and imaginative process, the potential within each individual stone, and bring these ideas to fruition employing a variety of techniques. The subject matter and difficulty level will be largely self-directed, but it is our intention that this will be a way for the interested student to take their art to a new level of experimentation. To do this we will follow a prescribed method of design, implementation, and realization, but with plenty of flexibility to allow for creative expression. Students will be encouraged to work in soft stone (alabaster, soapstone, or limestone) and focus mainly on hand tools (it is this artist's humble opinion that the slow pace of hand work is more conducive to communication with the stone), but for more experienced students marble and accompanying power tools can be made available.
The first evidence of human beings using rock tools is between two and three million years ago. Over such a long time the process of tool making has advanced from simple sharp edges and choppers to an art form of complexity and beauty that provided people with knives, axes, adzes, chisels, arrow heads and spear points, saws, scrapers, and many other tools. The flint knapping class will begin by looking at how rocks break and which stones will provide the best tools. We will cover the two main methods of shaping stone in flint knapping, direct percussion and pressure flaking, and briefly look at indirect percussion. Tools and materials will be provided as we work on spalling, preforming, finishing and sharpening stone tools. Hand axes and large projectile points will also be demonstrated and taught. Flint knapping is a skill that predates Homo sapiens, and has helped to develop the way our minds work, our cultures, and human technology from its beginning.
Learn about this fascinating art form through the ages to its' contemporary works today. From Ancient Greece and Rome to Spanish artist Antoni Gaudi and works of the visionaries, we'll go on a journey to discover an approach that speaks to you and your own creative energy! There are so many possibilities within this craft that the variations are endless. You'll be learning how to create a unique Pique Assiette mosaic using recycled stained glass and found objects employing a basic technique that is easy to learn and takes some practice to master. Once you learn the basics, you'll never look back! This technique can be applied to a variety of surfaces but we'll create individual panels that can be hung from a wall, attached as a back-splash or set on a shelf, it's up to you. Join us for this fun and informative workshop!
Slate is often overlooked as a potential carving material due to its association with more utilitarian uses such as roofing, gravestones, tile or going back a few years, blackboards. In fact, slate has wonderful tight grain that accepts fine detail and can be worked up to a matte shine. Its relative softness allows ease of carving with standard fire-sharpened steel hand tools and very quickly with carbide air-powered ones. The flat nature of slate makes it an ideal media for relief carvings; think what the Egyptians did with incised line and shallow cutting! The two-day workshop will concentrate on proper tool usage, a brief tool-making demonstration, letter cutting (gilding) and techniques for translating a drawing onto stone. Open to all skill levels. Please bring ideas or sketches. (beginner/intermediate)
Whether it is in the shadows of the most holy vaulted Gothic cathedrals or faces hiding in the foliage; we have been carving these creatures as an acknowledgement that their kind might exist and to forget is at our own peril. These silent ones embody the ‘other’ that lurks at the edge where the rational, comfortable, controllable ends…
We will explore both 3-D and relief imagery (individuals choice), drawing and laying out our design, transferring to stone and proper tool usage from traditional hand carving to pneumatic and diamond abrasives and a brief tool-making demonstration. There will be a variety of stones to work from: Danby marble, Fairhaven slate, Indiana limestone among others. Please bring sketches or ideas from which to work. (intermediate/advanced)
An exploration in art inspired by fantasy and folklore and the enchanting ambience of the Carving Studio's natural surroundings. Ages 6-8 Much like the castle in Sleeping Beauty, this abandoned site of Vermont's marble industry has become overtaken by nature - and sculpture! Workshop members are sure to fall under the spell of this alluring kingdom of marble. Every day the studio site will transform into the setting of a different classic tale. As visitors to these mythical lands, participants will use the magic of creativity to explore the story and the environment through theme-based sculptural projects. Projects will vary from fairy-house construction to designing mythological creature puppets - we may even make sculptures you can eat! The week will conclude with a tour for the parents.
In this class, each student will have the opportunity to explore different options available to build a lightweight, yet strong armature to provide the support for a mosaic sculpture. The beauty of these armature-building methods is the materials can be readily found at local home improvement stores. Strong, lightweight cement is used to create a shell over the armature. Once the shell is constructed, the real fun begins in the applying of the mosaic materials. Pieces of stained glass or other recycled glass are the most commonly used item for creating a mosaic but other found objects such as stone can also be used. If you have found objects from home you want to use, feel free to bring them. The workshop will provide various demonstrations including cutting glass if you don’t already know how to do this. There will be plenty of time for hands-on work and encouragement as each student explores the world of building a mosaic sculpture. Lots of fun will be had by all as we watch the amazing sculptures take on their own life. (Beginner/Intermediate)
Learn about the wonderful world of molten bronze. Participants will produce three bronzes using a different method for each. Techniques demonstrated will be: Lost wax - make your own wax original the first day of class, to be cast in ceramic shell; Green sand casting - each participant will make a 3” x 5” plaque, to be cast using cope and drag green sand casting. Experimental resin-bonded sand-cutting, drilling and gluing sections of bonded sand together, then casting the negative spaces, resulting in a unique assortment of unknown forms and shapes. In keeping with tradition, the workshop will culminate with a blast from the shop cannon! (beginner/intermediate)
Learn how to carve granite or enhance technical skills for carving this stone. Through group demonstrations & individualized attention, students will explore their own forms & share the conceptual basis for each work through class discussions. Splitting, blocking the form, surface awareness & finishing techniques are essential hands-on learning for this durable outdoor material. Shared evening experiences will be used to broaden one’s awareness of contemporary issues surrounding the world of sculpture through slide presentations, readings and open discussions.
A comprehensive tour through the world of three-dimensional art.Ages 9-12. In this workshop students will be given the opportunity to sample many sculptural methods and materials and to experience the creative energy of a sculpture center that attracts artists from around the world.Participants will be discovering traditional sculptural techniques as well as exploring concepts such as installation art, site-specific work, collaborative projects, temporal pieces, and incorporating kinetic, interactive, and mixed-media elements.Students will be introduced to a few different projects each day and will be given open studio time every afternoon to delve deeper into projects of their choice.We will finish the week with a presentation of work for the parents. Pre-registration required:please register by June 1st. Sessions are 9 AM-3 PM.
OPEN STONE Symposium - July 21-27, 2012
CSSC announces an OPEN STONE Symposium as part of a series of events to celebrate our landmark 25th Anniversary year. The seven-day Symposium is an open environment for sculptural exploration. Participants can expect upon arrival:
· Opportunity to network with like-minded sculptors who have a passion for working in stone.
· Daily demonstrations and forums on specific topics such as roughing out, safety, effective tool use, finishing, pinning and more.
· One cubic foot (160lbs) of Vermont Danby white marble is included in fee.
· Open studio atmosphere allowing everyone to work at individual level of proficiency. Experienced facilitators available for personal supervision.
· Evening sessions for sharing and exhibiting works of Symposium attendees
· Daily schedule from 8:00am until 6:00pm.
· Tools and a variety of stone will be available for purchase.
Facilitators: Mark Mennin, David Bender, Rick Rothrock, Paul Hilliard, Ryder Owens and more.
This course is designed to challenge the artist's imagination to create sculptures from steel and stainless steel shapes that were once industrial scrap. Commercial stamping, cutting and shaping processes produce fascinating and fanciful pieces that are often discarded in the manufacturing process. Participants will learn basic welding (MIG, "stick", Oxy-Acetylene), cutting, bending and finishing techniques by assembling these shapes into magical new forms.
Cast molten iron! In this workshop participants will learn the basic techniques for making cast metal sculpture from sculpting the form, to pouring the metal in your mold. We will explore multiple techniques for molding, you'll learn how to run a cupola furnace, some theory behind melting iron and how to make your own cupola will be demonstrated. Each participant will produce three iron sculptures and be given the opportunity to be directly involved in the pours. (beginner/intermediate)
This five-day workshop will focus on the development of a realistic human face in marble. Participants will first be guided through making a fast, self-portrait life cast in gypsum with non-toxic alginate. They will then use this model with an Italian relief-carving system and calipers to transport basic proportions into stone. The essential forms, planes and anatomy of facial features will be discussed in-depth to give participants a better understanding of their subject matter and to encourage independence from the model. The use of various power and hand tools and techniques will be explored throughout the workshop. (intermediate/advanced)
This two-day intensive workshop will cover the use of advanced tools and techniques in stone sculpture. Specific applications of pneumatic, electric, percussive and rotary tools will be discussed, as well as tricks of the trade in finishing work. Topics also include taking measurements (one-to-one as well as enlargement/reduction) , templates, compasses and pointing machines.
Explore the desire to create with the human figure as inspiration, while learning how to work and manipulate with metal. This workshop will introduce metalworking/welding while exploring the theme of the figure; working directly from drawings and paper models done from observation, while gaining the know- how to transform these ideas into metal sculptures. Students should bring sketchbooks/ideas and heavy work boots and clothes.
The Figure and portrait in clay may serve as a departure point for carving or a finished model to be fired or cast in other materials. Ms. Gowell shares her experience as a professional sculptor through frequent discussions and critiques, with an emphasis on modeling technique. Life models are used throughout the course to aid in the teaching of proportion and basic anatomy. Gestural sketches and more analytical studies are produced from direct observation of the figure and structural and anatomical emphasis informs the portrait.
This course will be focused on the techniques used to carve stone animals and other forms. The entire process from subject and stone selection to final surface finishes will be covered. Instruction will be given on various approaches such as direct stone carving and the use of templates. The where, when and how of using hand and power tools will be discussed and demonstrated. The course is open to students of all abilities. Ideally participants will bring numerous photographs of their subject matter. Advanced students should feel free to bring a maquette or even partially finished pieces.
NESA Sculpture Camp: members come to sculpt in a community setting with access to a variety of media - wood, clay, granite, marble, alabaster, mixed media, paper. Week includes demonstrations by experienced NESA members, discussion and general exchange of ideas and techniques. Note: Bring your own tools and safety equipment or members will provide information where to purchase before the week.
This two day course is designed for intermediate and advanced carvers looking to improve their letter carving skills. The class will offer:
Techniques and demonstrations for improving your finished letters. What is that serif for again? Crucial tips for shaping and sharpening an excellent letter carving chisel. Time for personal instruction. How to approach letters in granite and other 'hard' stones. Students may bring a piece to work on.
If you ever thought you would like to utilize the Carving Studio and Sculpture Center as your own studio, this is your chance! This week will be ideal for anyone who has taken a workshop during the CSSC’s history and would like to finish a piece or start a new one. This will also be a terrific opportunity to reconnect with other artists and recapture the magic of earlier experiences. Technical support and knowledgeable advice from studio staff will be available throughout the week, and studio space may be reserved either indoors or out. Participants are encouraged to bring images of their own work to share.
In this workshop you’ll learn the basic techniques for creating an iron sculpture, from making the form, running the furnace, to pouring the metal in your mold! You’ll learn the process step by step, supporting technical information will also be addressed. Each participant will produce two iron sculptures and will be given the opportunity to be directly involved in the pour. (beginner/intermediate)
Two full days of hand carving technique and stone carving lore introduce the beginner to reductive art-making and three-dimensional thinking. Use of the Studio’s tools and a moderate piece of Vermont marble are included in the fee. Discussions of safe studio practices and stone and tool sourcing help make this two-day course an excellent initiation to the craft of stone sculpture.
The primary goal of this workshop is to educate attendees regarding all aspects of stone preservation procedures. The workshop will consist of one day of gravestone and monument conservation at the historic Pleasant Street Cemetery in West Rutland and one day of stone conservation treatments performed outdoors on the Carving Studio and Sculpture Center collection.
The gravestones to be conserved will represent many common preservation techniques, based on conditions most often found in historic burying grounds.An in depth demonstration of appropriate stone cleaning assessment, materials and techniques will be conducted, and performed by the group. A folder with printed information will be provided to further inform students, regarding the conservation treatments and materials employed throughout the workshop. Questions, interaction and group discussion are encouraged.Participants are welcome to bring along photographs of stone-works they have concerns or questions regarding.
THE CARVING
STUDIO & SCULPTURE CENTER Instruction, Resources, and Inspiration
for Three-Dimensional Art of All Kinds
Offering Stone Carving for Beginners,
Advanced Sculpture Classes Workspace Rental,
Artist Residency Programs, Sculpture Gallery
and Garden
P: (802)
438-2097