BMCA Clay Studio To Host Open House for 2nd Anniversary

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio, located in the renovated former City Garage adjacent to the Center at 225 W. State Street, will host an Open House on Sunday, March 21 from 2-4 pm to celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of the renovation in 2008.  The Open House will feature pottery wheel demonstrations by Student Assistants and class information and policies with Studio Manager and Resident Teacher AJ Reisman.  For more information call 828/669-0930.

The BMCA Clay Studio has undergone a number of changes during the two years since the renovation, which was funded by grants from the Janirve Foundation and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.  The side murals, a mosaic by artist Julia Burr, and a bas relief  by artist David Seils, were completed just in time for the opening of the Studio.  Recently, a sign was installed after its completion by Maureen Joyce and Mary Soyenova, along with assistance from students and teachers in the Studio.

A major feature of the Clay Studio is the philosophy of recycling and environmentally-friendly practices.  All leftover clay and clay water is recycled to keep down expenses, and to prevent excessive transfer of clay into the nearby ground.  The recyled clay is used for workshops and other events.

Another emphasis at the Studio is the limited size of the classes including one-on-one instruction.  Six-to-eight students is the maximum that can work in a class at one time.  Other studios that can offer large classes and a greater variety of teachers do not retain the atmosphere of community and belonging that students find at the BMCA Clay Studio.

Changes in teachers is an ongoing process at the Studio.   New instructors this spring include Judi Ashe, Gwen Ottinger, and Holly de Saillan.  Returning teacher Annie Singletary will offer a glaze workshop later in the spring. Geoff Bird, who started teaching in the studio in 2001, long before the renovation, still teaches a class on Thursdays, and hosts a monthly Raku firing.  AJ Reisman, who manages the studio, also teaches classes three days a week and 2-day or 1-week samplers, along with plans to offer Clay Camps for kids this summer.  Studio Assistants are potters who have studied in classes at the Studio and have advanced to the level of assisting with duties in the Studio, but not teaching classes. 

Stop by the Open House to view student work, watch the potters at work and find a class that will suit your schedule.