17-31 MARCH 2019 INIMITABLE FORMS with Peter Callas

email us at gayacac@gayaceramic.com for more details!


INIMITABLE FORMS: wet earth through fire
with Peter Callas
March 17-31, 2019
Peter Callas has forged a career over 45 years earning him a worldwide reputation for both his pioneering work with the Anagama kiln and his unique style of Ceramic sculpture.  He has undertaken over 150 Anagama firings and continues to love and learn from this ancient tool.  At this workshop he will fire the Gaya Anagama, and participants will benefit from the treasure trove of knowledge his instruction on stacking and firing for natural ash effects represents.   Leading up to the loading of the kiln, Peter will demonstrate slab and wheel skills, emphasizing one-of-a-kind form aesthetics.  Techniques will stress the sculptural challenges of abstracting vessels and constructing maquettes.  His spirited, poetic approach will help and encourage students to handle clay in startlingly new and evocative ways. Peter will also premier the short film: Voulkos “The Lost Tapes” as well as giving several slide presentations on Anagama kilns, wood fired art, and his 23 year collaboration with Peter Voulkos. It is certain to be an intimate, inimitable, and rewarding experience for participants at all levels.

Sunday, March 17                 WELCOME DINNER                         MOKSA
6pm: We will meet for an exquisite meal set upon Anagama-fired wares at MOKSA restaurant. It will be a relaxed evening in which participants can get to know one another and share their stories and intentions for joining the workshop.  Peter will offer a presentation of images and ideas over dessert.

Monday, March 18                INTRODUCTION                                           GCAC
A Morning of introduction:
§  Lively welcome talk by Peter, and introduction to Gaya CAC studio
§  Discussion of upcoming firing and introductory comments on firing Anagama kilns in general and the Gayagama in particular, including stacking methods and decorative approaches
§  A look over some finished examples from the Gaya collection

Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
In the Afternoon:
§  Demonstrations by Peter on and off the wheel
§  Students will dive into making work for the kiln
§  Reflections on the 157 firings Peter has done over the years on four continents

Tuesday, March 19               CLAY DAY                                                     GCAC
 Morning:
§  Discussions and making clay work
§  Overview of clay choices and finishing effects will be an every day on-going experience
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon:
§  Demonstration and kiln stories with Peter working closely with students
           
Wednesday, March 20                      FORMING & LOOKING AHEAD                             GCAC
Morning:
§  PowerPoint talk on Anagama Kilns and ongoing wet work forming for the kiln throughout the day
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon:
§  More Demonstrations; Tea Bowls, etc...

Thursday, March 21             MAKING CONTINUED                                             GCAC
Morning:
§  An all-day work oriented session for students. Peter will oversee, advise, and critique projects
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon:
§  Complete projects, discussions and individual critiques

Friday, March 22                   FINALIZING PROJECTS                              GCAC
Morning:
§  Work being finished for slips, glazes and readied for firing.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon: Final touches in wet clay

Saturday, March 23              DRY TO FIRE/ A LOOK AHEAD                             GCAC

Morning:
§  In depth dialogue on firing effects and stacking, shadow casting, thermal mass and heat transfer as well as patinas, slips and glaze.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon:
§  Preparation for loading and discussion on firing the kiln.
§  Student presentations: Informal discussion of work by participants. All encouraged to bring 5 to 10 images for a roundtable discussion. (JPEGs on Flash drives)

Sunday, March 24                 LOADING the DRAGON                                          GCAC
All day:
§  Loading the Gayagama. Everyone will have the opportunity to assist in all aspects of the process: wadding, placing works and the firing process.

Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
6pm Evening:
§  FIRE Ceremony and wood-fired pizzas at Kasa Kaneyasa
Enjoy a stimulating, cleansing “Puja” (Hindu fire-ceremony) at the home of director, Hillary Kane. followed by a fitting evening of stoking the wood-fired pizza-oven. Pizza-making participation required!

Monday, March 25    CONTINUE & CONCLUDE LOADING                                GCAC
All Day:                                  
§  In preparation of the firing we will finish stacking the kiln, sealing the door, and organizing the kiln area.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Evening:
§  Lighting Ceremony GCAC
Candling begins for the two day firing with assigned shifts.

Tuesday, March 26                           FIRING/ Day One                              GCAC
First full day of firing and informal talks on the process and importance of low temperature. Transport and meals will be organized accordingly.

Wednesday, March 27                      FIRING (sustaining & concluding)             GCAC
Kiln taken to high heat with side stoking being done. (**Salt/Soda possible), finish stoking and seal the kiln.           
Evening:
 Ending in a pizza-making in the residual heat pizza oven!   

Thursday, March 28             REST & RECOVERY                        anywhere Bali

Friday, March 29                  EXCURSION                                      TBD


Saturday, March 30             UNLOADING & FINISHING GCAC
Morning:
Peter will show the video premier of “LOST TAPES”. A 1993 short film on his collaborative work with Peter Voulkos filmed at his Belvidere, N.J. studio.
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
Afternoon: Unload the fired work with thoughtful insights on the results.
Post-firing clean-up and finishing techniques. Closing remarks.

Sunday, March 31                             CONCLUSION                                   GCAC
A selection of works displayed in our In-studio gallery for concluding discussion/critique/commentary of the entire experience.
Then packing works to go (bubble wrap, newspaper, and cardboard boxes provided).
Lunch: family style in the GCAC mezzanine
DEPARTURE


***In order to encourage thoughtful making in the allotted studio time, there is a suggestion that participants bring a handful of bisque pots to add to the overall Anagama loading.

*All lunches will be served daily noon-1pm family-style in the studio mezzanine.

**Details listed in this preliminary schedule are subject to change; a finalized version will be included in participant welcome package.