Featured Workshops FIBERS &TEXTILES

A Materials Exploration - The Cochineal Insect: Maestro Porfirio Gutierrez

In this workshop, Maestro Porfirio Gutierrez will lead participants through a materials exploration of the cochineal insect. The Cochineal Insect is a small scale insect, known for its red pigment in ancient Indigenous Mexico. Participants will explore the alchemy of the cochineal insect as it lies at the intersection of ancient science and craft. The group will study how the color relates to PH levels and shifts accordingly, how to mordent and create various hues with the same pigment, and how to create secondary hues by over-dyeing.

Aug 12-13 • Tuition: $425 • Studio/Materials Fee: $60

Ceramics

Exploring Salt Firing: Cathi Jefferson

In this hands-on workshop you will participate, discover and get a real feel for the amazing possibilities of salt firing. You’ll discover many ways to glaze the bisqued white stoneware pieces that you bring and help load the kiln absorbing the different nuances required for salt firing. You’ll be involved in the firing process, learn and see different approaches plus begin to do some hands-on making. Detailed surfaces with incised lines, stamps, textured surfaces, and slip decoration come alive in the salty atmosphere.

July 14-18 • Tuition: $735 • Studio/Materials Fee: $80 explore and register online at petersvalley.org

Wood

Adventures in Steam Bending: Yuri Kobayashi

& Chelsea Witt

Experiment with the art and science of wood steam-bending and explore design possibilities with curves. This hands-on, playful, and experimental workshop will introduce the basics of steam bending techniques to form a straight wood into a curved or twisted one. We will experiment directly with the material to stimulate creativity and prompt ideas. Through combinations of free bending and mold making, we will achieve unique, organic lines and forms; the possibilities are infinite.

Aug 11-15 • Tuition: $735 • Studio/Materials Fee: $150

Fine Metals

Forged Flatware: Funlola Coker

Participants will investigate metal as a medium for creating flatware through forging. We will cover foundational techniques such as tapering, upsetting, spreading and scrolling to create one of a kind pieces to take home. Participants will focus on forging copper blanks, but are invited to bring silver to learn about ingot pouring and alloying metal. Possible items to forge include, but are not limited to spoons, spatulas, scoops and as practice, jewelry.

July 14-18 • Tuition: $735 • Studio/Materials Fee: $75