Shape to Figure

Past Event

18+

Instructor: Michelle Solorzano

Spend a week bringing a figure to life! Using slabs, templates, and reference images, you’ll build a hollow form in parts, assemble and refine it, and finish with patterned surface decoration to tell a story.

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Overview

In this weeklong workshop, you will create a full figure in the pose of your choice. The figure can be as abstract or naturalistic as you like. You will learn how to use reference images and/or sketches of a person from multiple angles to build a hollow form using the slab-building technique.

We will use templates for all the body parts, transforming 2D shapes into 3D forms. Assembling all the body parts at the leather-hard stage, students will practice sculpting facial features and muscles by pushing out the form from the inside and using additive methods to refine. Participants will also explore surface decoration techniques on greenware to aid in the narration of a story or concept. By the end of the week, there will be an option to take away a greenware clay piece or pick up their bisque-fired piece after the workshop to accommodate drying time before firing.

Additional Information

Michelle Solorzano is a figurative ceramic sculptor and educator from the Dominican Republic, currently based in California. She recently completed a long-term artist residency at the American Museum of Ceramic Art and now teaches ceramics at California State Polytechnic University. Solorzano holds a BFA in Painting and Ceramics from SUNY Potsdam and an MFA in Ceramics from Indiana University.

Artist website:

Instagram:

50 lbs Red Calico WC881 Laguna clay, optional firing, and consumable supplies including AMACO underglaze.

The program will begin Sunday morning, with a brief orientation at 8:30 am. Workshops will start at 9 am.

Sunday night will feature a program mixer, where you will have an opportunity to meet with your classmates outside of the studio, as well as meet other students in our adult programs for the week.

Monday nights feature an opening reception at the Parks Exhibition Gallery, featuring work from our very own summer faculty!

Daily instruction occurs from 9am-12 pm, with a break for lunch in the campus dining hall (included in tuition), and followed with more instruction from 1pm-4 pm.

Artist Talks will be held in the evenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This is a wonderful opportunity to listen to our Metals J.A.M. and H.O.T. Clay instructors speak on their art.

On Saturday morning at 10 am, join your fellow workshop participants for an exciting kiln unveiling and celebration!

Generous donors have made scholarships and fellowships for adult workshops available on a limited basis for these specific groups:

1) Native American Community Members, Leaders, Artists, and Teachers

For adults 18 and older with current tribal affiliation, the scholarship brings community leaders, artists, members, and teachers to workshops at ��ֱ�� to benefit both the scholarship recipients and those in their schools or tribal communities. Applicants with financial needs may receive priority. We also offer scholarships for Native American Teens for both the ��ֱ�� Program and the Academy.

2) Inland Empire Teachers, Professors, and Graduate Students

For adults 18 and older who are current teachers in lower and higher education who will benefit from learning about Native American Arts and Culture to take back into the classroom as well as currently enrolled Graduate students. The scholarship is designed to provide professional development for those in education to share with their learning communities.

Scholarships include tuition, dorm housing, and all meals provided by the campus dining service. Transportation to and from campus is not provided, and the $50 registration fee is not included.

Click for more information about adult scholarships.