THE COFFEE & CLAY SESSIONS
creativity, conversation & critiques
(but supportive and encouraging critiques, not like jerky art school ones!)
SYLLABUS
SESSION 1: DEFINING YOUR CREATIVE VISION
Our inaugural Session One sold out! Sign up for the waitlist and be notified when the next session opens:
Suggested reading: Art Write: The Writing Guide for Visual Artists by Vicki Krohn
Pre-class homework:
1. Look over our first week’s discussion questions and be thinking about your answers:
• think about some of your favorite artists or styles of art (doesn’t have to be ceramics related)
• narrow that list down to one artist whose work you really love
2. For your chosen artist: find 3 images of this artist’s work online and send links to the images (or copies of the images) to Julia by Monday July 13.
3. For our first show & tell: find a favorite piece of art you’ve recently bought (this can be any medium, does not have to be ceramics), take a picture of it and send the image to Julia by Monday July 13.
Week 1: Observing Others
Discussion: What we can learn from other artists
• who are some of your favorite artists or styles of art (doesn’t have to be ceramics related)
• choose one artist that you really love: how and why do they inspire you
- what is it about their aesthetic that draws you to them
- how does their art make you feel
- how has their work influenced yours
• looking for an artist’s personal story in their art
Show and tell: choose a favorite piece of art you’ve recently bought and talk about why you love it (this can be any medium, does not have to be ceramics)
Homework for next week:
1. Fill out Week 1 writing prompts worksheet.
2. Look over next week’s discussion questions and think about your answers.
3. For next week’s Show & Tell: choose a piece of your earlier work that you feel has been influential in leading you to where you are now; take a picture of it and email to Julia by Monday, July 20.
Week 2: Looking Within
Discussion: How your personal story—and your journey to clay—are important to your artistic style and career
• how did you discover ceramics and what is it about clay that made you choose it over other mediums
• what personal interests, experiences and/or values have helped inform your art
• how does the art you create make you feel; how do you want others to feel when they see your art
• what 3 words would you want people to use to describe your art
• keeping a journal as a roadmap for your creative journey
Show and tell: choose a piece of your early work and talk about how it helped lead you to where you are now
Homework for next week:
1. Fill out Week 2 writing prompts worksheet.
2. Look over next week’s discussion questions and think about your answers.
Optional homework: Marie Kondo your portfolio—a curating exercise! Use the Facebook group to post images of your top 5 pieces that either “spark joy” or align with your 3 descriptive words from last week.
Week 3: Special Guest Speaker
Expert Talk + Q&A with Mark Erroll, owner of Plough Gallery
• a 45-minute talk plus follow-up Q&A will take place on Zoom on July 28 from 12:30-1:15pm
• Mark is a successful artist and gallery owner and will be joining us to discuss topics like ceramics in the gallery world; what galleries looks for in an artist’s work when considering representation; tips for approaching a gallery
• after the talk, you’ll be able to ask questions
• this special meet-up will be recorded for anyone not able to attend live (you’ll be able to submit questions in advance if you can’t attend)
Homework for next week:
1. Fill out Week 3 writing prompts worksheet
2. Look over next week’s discussion questions and think about your answers
3. For the next Show & Tell: choose a recently finished piece of your work and/or an unfinished piece that you would feel comfortable talking about and presenting for critique; take a picture of it and email it to Julia by Monday, August 3.
Week 4: Perceiving Possibilities
Discussion: Finding inspiration and applying it to your work
• what are your main sources of inspiration
• what is your process for working though your ideas
• how does clay limit you but also enable you; what techniques can support & highlight your vision
• what current themes or ideas are you working on and why do these appeal to you
• looking for inspiration in unexpected places
Show and tell: choose a recently finished piece you’ve made and talk how it compares to your original vision for it; and/or a recent unfinished piece for which you’d like input or guidance
Homework for next week:
1. Fill out Week 4 writing prompts worksheet
2. Look over next week’s discussion questions and think about your answers
3. For next week’s Show & Tell: create a vision board* for a theme, concept, idea you want to explore in a future body of work; email a copy to Julia by Monday, August 11 (*this doesn’t have to be a vision board, it can be drawings, or an ideas list, or a statement, etc etc—whatever you feel most comfortable with presenting to the group).
Week 5: Seeing Ahead
Discussion: Where do we go from here: your artistic vision (the big picture for your art and career) vs. your artistic voice (what to you want your art to be and say)
• what would you like to be known for artistically-speaking
• what themes, concepts, ideas do you want to work on next or in the future
• what are you aspirations; what kind of life do you envision for yourself in the next few years and how does your art play into that
• power of the pause: creating a quiet space to make room for big ideas
Show and tell: present your vision board (or drawings, list, statement, etc) for the concept, theme or ideas you want to explore next
Post-Session Homework:
1. Now that the session is ending, it’s time to write your artist statement and/or bio!
2. Email a copy to your designated “peer reviewer” by Monday, August 17. Also be sure to email a copy to Julia.
3. Don’t forget to post your own artist statement and/or bio in the Facebook group when you are ready!
POST-SESSION:
1. Email your thoughts and words of encouragement to the person whose statement you were designated to review by Monday, August 24.
Coffee & Clay is a supportive and inclusive environment for ceramic artists from all walks of life. Our goal is to provide a welcoming community experience where all participants feel safe to talk about their art and ideas without judgment. The sessions are designed to give each person a chance to be in the spotlight and talk about their work. Even though “critiques” are a part of the experience, they are not critical, negative, demeaning or insulting. They are solely meant to be a tool for encouraging growth and providing positive feedback in an inspiring and uplifting manner.