Skill Building Classes
Having taught advanced pottery classes at North Carolina State University's Crafts Center for over twenty years, I am pleased to now open my studio for private lessons.
Sessions are designed for developing potters who have learned the basics of wheel throwing and are ready to move to the next level. Highly individualized instruction is tailored to your skill level, needs and goals.
Classes are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, and limited to 2 students per evening. Cost is $10 per hour (2 hour minimum).
Sign up for six evenings at $150 and save $30.
For more information contact Julie at (919) 309-4747 or
(919) 641-6808.
Student Comments
Inbar ~
Julie is the best teacher I have had in 10 years of working with clay. Her breadth and depth of knowledge of the ceramic world are impressive, and she knows how to take her students' frustrating challenges and break them down to manageable projects.
Her honest enthusiasm about art making is catching and her warmth and positive energies are enough to motivate anyone. I cherish each session we have because with Julie, there's always something new and exciting for me to discover.
Bev ~
An accomplished craftsman, Julie will encourage you to increase your skill level and techniques and instill in you a sense of aesthetics and attention to detail. Your pots will never be the same!
Libby ~
I first met Julie Olson at the Penland School of Crafts where she helped instruct a pottery class with Ben Owen III. She is a first class potter with great teaching skills. She is able to articulate and demonstrate sound methods of making ceramic forms, and sound aesthetic choices. A couple of the many, many things I have learned from working with Julie are: to pay attention to every surface of every pot, including, and sometimes, especially, the bottoms; and, to make your own tools so that you can make the forms, and the marks on the forms, that you are working toward.
Julie's methodical way of working with different clay bodies has garnered her an extensive knowledge of what various ceramic materials will, and will not, do, another characteristic of a serious, dedicated and professional craftsperson. What a privilege it has been to learn from Julie, and not have to "reinvent the wheel" with regard to every aspect of pot making.
Tara ~
Anyone that is serious about learning to make better pots will greatly benefit from taking classes with Julie. As a functional potter, I struggled to create work beyond cylindrical forms. Through Julie's instruction, I quickly learned simple clay techniques that allowed me to create unique forms. I was thrilled to finally take my work to the next level! Years later, I am still using hand-building and wheel throwing techniques that I learned from Julie.
Previous Workshops
White Oak Pottery is pleased to host the following workshops in Durham, NC. To inquire about space availability, lodging or registration, or phone (919) 641-6808.
Carol Owen - "Spirit House Workshop"
Two-day, hands-on workshop
Using simple materials, such as foam core and rice paper (provided), students will explore the processes of how to create their own personal Spirit House - a structure to hold your photos and treasures! You will learn how to make a variety of doors, niches and drawers to hold mementos. Examples of work will be available to demonstrate the many design possibilities. This class is suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience in collage and assemblage. This is a unique chance to make a personal shrine, perhaps about someone special in your life, or a favorite place, a remembered trip, a beloved pet, or perhaps a fun event you'd like to commemorate. It's up to you!
Carol Owen - "Altered Book Class"
Two-day, hands-on workshop
Learn how to turn an old book into an interactive object of collage and embellishment, fun for both the maker and the viewer! Participants will explore altered books in depth. Carol will provide two books for each student, one to use as a sampler of techniques, and one to work on more finished pages. We will explore the interactive nature of these books by learning a variety of ways to create pockets, flaps, add-in elements, pop-ups, niches, doors and windows, transparencies nd more. Students will learn many ways to do backgrounds on their pages, and also discuss different materials such as glues, paints, and embellishments. This class is suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience. A two day class will give the student enough time to learn at their own pace, in a relaxed environment. They will come away with a lot of ideas and techniques to enable them to do altered books on their own.
Akira Blount - "Sculpting a Doll in Cloth"
Three-day, hands-on workshop
The workshop will focus on using knit fabric as a sculpting medium. The techniques involved include needle sculpting a human face, fabric stiffening, options for covering the sculpted piece with other materials such as gauze, paper clay, paper etc. To a lesser degree the workshop will touch on the other body parts which make up a human figure doll.The workshop will focus on using knit fabric as a sculpting medium. The techniques involved include needle sculpting a human face, fabric stiffening, options for covering the sculpted piece with other materials such as gauze, paper clay, paper etc. To a lesser degree the workshop will touch on the other body parts which make up a human figure or doll. Visit Akira's website to learn more about her work.
Dan Essig - "Wooden Coptic Binding"
Five-day, hands-on workshop
Developed as early as the fourth century, this Ethiopian binding style has withstood the test of time. There are several distinct sewings known as Coptic. I teach a method that uses two needles for each length of thread, one on either end. I teach a technique of tunneling through the edge of the wooden covers to attach the text block. The combination of historic sewing style, wooden boards, and type of board attachment are what distinguish this Ethiopian style Coptic binding.
In order to gain a better understanding of the basics of woodworking, you will use simple hand tools when you drill, shape and smooth your book covers. I will demonstrate wood finishing, including bare wood treatments and methods of weathering and distressing covers with paints and stains. I will also demonstrate techniques I include in my own work, such as mica windows, inlays, clasps and other closures, and the incorporation of metal, bone, leather and found objects.
Gay Smith - "Working Soft"
Demonstration only
Altering Freshly Thrown Forms. Gay Smith will demonstrate ways of altering the form and surface of freshly thrown pots. Pots made in this way can look spontaneous and animated, reflecting the process of working with wet clay. Porcelain clay will be used in the demonstration, but these techniques may be used just as well with stoneware and earthenware. Squaring, ovaling, fluting, and faceting will be shown. And finishing the pots will include trimming, cutting, and adding feet and handles. Gay will also show slides.
About Gay Smith
Gay Smith, aka Gertrude Graham Smith, is a studio potter educated at Harvard University, the Findhorn Foundation, and Penland School. She single fires porcelain ware in a soda kiln near Penland School in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina. She held artist-in-residencies at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, Montana, and at Penland School in Penland, NC. Her teaching credits include workshops at Penland School, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, the Harvard Ceramics Studio, and the Findhorn Foundation in Northern Scotland. Her work is shown internationally, and can be viewed in publications including Functional Pottery and Mark Making by Robin Hopper, and Working with Clay by Susan Peterson.
Dolph Smith - "Book Arts"
Three-day, hands-on workshop
This Book Arts class will be based on two traditional book structures. First, the accordion fold book. This is a popular structure out of the oriental culture. Class will produce a book called Petal binding, a structure that opens much as flower blossoms.
The second book will be a modern multi-sectioned binding commonly called codex out of the western tradition. Students will then develop covers using a variety of materials including wood, milk paint, copper, powdered graphite, book cloth and found components. Time constraints will limit these works as blank text blocks. However, we will attempt some pop-up and movement experiments. Results will be a combination of a solid understanding of the binding process and guidance toward a freely expressed application of personal ideas.
About Dolph Smith
B.F.A. from Memphis College of Art. Returned as full time faculty member in 1965. Taught for 30 years: Drawing and Painting. Beginning in late 70's developed a curriculum for Hand Papermaking and later began an Artist's Book program. Named The Flying Vat, it is now one of most prominent centers in America for that type of art education. He is a charter member of Friends of Dard Hunter Society of Hand Papermakers.
Retired in 1995 and was elected Professor Emeritus. Since that time he has had his studio, named Tennarkippi Field, on Hurricane Hill near Ripley where he devotes his time to sculptural works, one-of-a-kind artist's books and painting.
Awarded Arts and Humanities Medal for lifetime achievement in Visual Arts from Germantown Arts League. Only individual winner of a First Bravo Award from First Tennessee Bank. Was invited, in 2004, to give the commencement address at Memphis College of Art and at that same time was awarded the degree Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts.
Has over 1200 works in collections nationally and internationally including China and Japan. Artworks have been featured in journals, magazines and books including: Surface Design Journal, Hand Papermaking and The Complete Printmaker. Currently profiled with nine other Americans in The Penland Book Of Handmade Books. Published by Lark Books in October of last year it is already in second printing. Show of handmade books at Burke's Books in Memphis was a sellout in April of this year.
Travels nationally as visiting artist to lecture and teach. Just this year will be in Arizona and Chicago with eight trips scheduled into 2007. Also, invited as Juror with most recent trip to judge the Arkansas Arts Council Small Works on Paper exhibition in Little Rock.
Recent invitational exhibitions have been at the Tennessee Arts Council Gallery in Nashville, and the Fourth Tennessee Masterworks Exhibition in Madison. At end of exhibition was awarded the 2005 Shaman Award for Lifetime Artist Achievement by Tennessee Artist's Guild.
Was Artist's Life speaker at Shakerag Workshops at St. Andrews School in Sewanee. Will return as Faculty in 2007.
Retrospective exhibition planned for Fall, 2006 at Mid-South Community College, West Memphis, AR.
Silvie Granatelli
Demonstration only
Silvie Granatelli will demonstrate various forms thrown on the wheel while also using techniques of cutting and hand building to alter the work. There will be a section on surface treatments, such as slip trailing and carving, and stain decoration. During the slide presentation, Silvie will discuss the process, her sources of inspiration and resources. There will be discussions regarding the role of the potter in contemporary society and how we can give meaning to the daily objects of the home. Silvie's work is functional, meant to be used for food presentation.
Dan Essig - "Wooden Coptic Books"
Two-day, hands-on workshop
Developed as early as the 4th century this Ethiopian binding style has withstood the test of time. Utilizing hand-powered tools we will first drill, shape, and smooth the hardwood covers. You will have the opportunity to experiment with paints, stains and finishes to create a weathered and aged effect. Windows, inlays and closures will also be demonstrated. This elegant coptic sewing structure, combined with wood covers, opens a wide range of possibilities for both the beginner and the more advanced bookbinders.
