Workshops and......

I made another quickie pot yesterday.  I'm not really happy with it; I think because the form is way outside my comfort zone.  I added the various elements because I got to thinking about Steampunk.  The original form was made around a large plastic glass.  I think it looks sort of like 'modern' pots from the 1950's.  At any rate I'll keep it.  I will bisque it and probably stare at it for a few months before doing anything else. 

 Lori Buff posted Paul Mathieu's introduction to Art of the Future in which he states his dislike for clay workshops. Well, he seems to think they are ridiculous and a detriment to the professional clay community.  Only serious artists need apply!  

Why he singles out clay is sort of beyond me.  There is a long tradition of amateur education in the arts.  Workshops, classes, community art centers are the lifeblood of the arts.  How can you get support for anything if you make it an exclusive club?  No, not everyone is going to be a (name your favorite) and innovate and push the medium to new places, but if taking a class makes a person look at a pot, or a painting in a new light, see the need for programs in our schools, that's a good thing. (Side note:  Why are students and, yes, employees, encouraged to think creatively or outside the box, yet arts programs which are the very thing that teach creative thinking are the first to go in any budget cutting?)

There is a certain joy that can happen in a workshop when the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. The rhythm and knowledge that comes from a concentrated learning environment can't be beat.  Creative energy will crackle in the air and amazing things happen.  Having taught and having spoken with a lot of art teachers I can say the take home value is enormous.

And in the end....the love you take is equal to the love you make. (Paul McCartney)

Enjoy the evening and, as always.......thanks for stopping by........*s*

P.S.  I may edit and add to this one.