New Classes At Armory Art Center Make Summer Learning Fun!

Posted on May 23rd, 2017 • Category: Acrylic, Armory Art Center, Art, Art Events in Palm Beach County, Art in Public Spaces, Art Supplies, Classes And Seminars, Digital Art/Video, Fiber Arts, Glass, Helpful Hints, Jewelry, Local News and Events, Metal, Mixed Media, Museums, Oil, Pastel/Drawing, Photography, Polymer Clay, Pottery/Ceramics, Sculpture, Water Color, Weaving/Fabric Art, Wood

The Armory Art Center announces summer classes for youth and adults beginning June 19th. Choose from Live Model Studios, Open studio Time, Pop-Up Workshops, Ceramics, Jewelry, Glass, Art History, Drawing, Painting, Photography & Digital Media, Printmaking & Fiber, Sculpture, plus a Summer Art Experience! The Rickie Report shares the details and some highlights of what you can create!

 

 

 

811 Park Place W. Palm Beach, FL 33401

(561) 832-1776 | armoryart.org | registrar@armoryart.org

 

 

Artwork by Anthony Burks

Session 6: June 19 – August 12, 2017

 

REGISTRATION:

Monday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 9:00 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

To See The Full Catalogue:

Online registration: 24/7 http://www.armoryart.org/registration

Classes are subject to change.

Please check out online registration for the most up-to-date offerings

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

 

PAINT YOUR OWN CERAMICS

Three hours—evenings or Saturdays

Have a private ceramics painting party for any occasion with friends or colleagues. Paint ceramic tabletop accessories like pitchers, bowls, and plates. These items make perfect, functional gifts!  Work in our state-of-the-art ceramic studios with instruction from our experienced faculty. Book a three-hour party for an evening or Saturday. Our happy hour package is available upon request. Minimum of six students.  Please reserve your group at the registrar or call (561) 832-1776.

 

CUFF BRACELETS

ADRIANA FICARELLI

 

In this one-day workshop students will have fun creating copper cuff bracelets by using beautiful textures and folding techniques. Demonstrations will include folding metal, the application of various textures using the rolling mill, surface finishes, and use of the torch. No experience is necessary

 

COUPLES RING MAKING PARTY!

ALICIA JANE BOSWELL

Enjoy your evening learning how to size, solder, texturize, and nish silver rings for each other! Everyone will learn the basics of how to use the torch to heat things up. No experience is necessary and all materials are included. Please wear closed toe shoes.

 

PHOTO IMAGE TRANSFER ON GLASS

MARK WALNOCK

 

Turn your own 2D art or personal photographs into permanent displays. Using a laser printer, students will copy and crop an image to the desired piece of glass during the first session of the class. The following week the paper backing will be removed and color additives will be discussed. A final kiln firing will complete the process. Come to class with a collection of photos or drawings (12”x 8” max. size) to discuss which would work best for the process. Completed pieces can be picked up three days after the final class.

 

DRAWING FOR BEGINNING STUDENTS

ANTHONY BURKS

 

This class focuses on the basics of drawing lines, shapes, shades, perspectives and proportions.  students will use materials such as charcoal, pen, and pencils while learning each medium’s unique qualities to make 2D shapes appear 3D. This class is the foundation for all other visual art media because, as Michael Las Casas says, “Your paintings are only as good as your drawings.”

 

WORKSHOP:

PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR ART!

BARRY SCHEIN

 

 

 

Students will learn the basic techniques for creating high quality photographs of artwork for exhibitions, personal portfolios, school, and much more. Students will learn camera settings, controlling lighting, and creating a set-up to photograph 2D, 3D, and small objects.

 

 

For more information about classes, workshops, studio  time, or planning other events:

811 Park Place W. Palm Beach, FL 33401

(561) 832-1776 | armoryart.org | registrar@armoryart.org

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

 

Caren Hackman Interviews Nancy Bernardeau, Of Smokehouse Pottery

Posted on February 13th, 2016 • Category: Art, Art Events in Palm Beach County, Galleries, Helpful Hints, Local News and Events, Pottery/Ceramics

Nancy Bernardeau is a clay artist who specializes in creating one-of-a-kind decorative ceramic forms utilizing the raku process and other associated alternative firing techniques, such as horsehair and saggar firing.  The Rickie Report has admired Nancy’s creations at Artisans On The Ave in Lake Worth.  Caren Hackman shares an interview with Nancy, not only exploring her artistry, but explaining more about different firing techniques.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

Nancy Bernardeau, Smokehouse Pottery

Talks About

 

“The Magic Of Raku”

 

nancybernardeaiembedded-glass-celadon-box

Glass Embedded Celadon Box by Nancy Bernardeau

 

 

 

Nancy Bernardeau tells The Rickie Report, ” I am constantly drawn to the magic of Raku firing! It is so dramatic to open up a kiln when it is glowing red hot at around 1832 degrees fahrenheit. Of course there is danger involved, making it even more exciting and adrenaline producing! So I gear up with my respirator, high temperature gloves, and clothing that completely covers and protects me from the intense heat. Raku firing gives me the “instant gratification” of seeing my results a lot more rapidly than waiting hours for a kiln to fire and then cool down. I’m directly involved in the firing and reduction process, as I place each piece in a container with combustibles, set it up in flames and put a tight cover on it so it smokes and smolders. This reduction or deprivation of oxygen is what creates the dramatic blacks and crackles, a signature of Raku pottery. The magic continues when the pot is taken out of the container and scrubbed clean under water. The beautiful colors then reveal themselves in sometimes unexpected ways”!

 

 

 

Caren Hackman shares, ” Nancy Bernardeau is a clay artist who specializes in creating one of a kind decorative ceramic forms utilizing the raku process and other associated alternative firing techniques, such as horsehair and saggar firing. It is always a pleasure to visit Nancy and see what new forms, materials and techniques she is incorporating into her work”.

 

ArtisansNancybernardeauDSCN0065

Horse Hair Raku by Nancy Bernardeau

Understanding Raku Terminology:

Raku firing involves opening up a kiln when the pot is glowing red hot at around 100 degrees C (1832 F) and removing each piece with tongs and placing it into a reduction container with either newspaper or sawdust. The pot catches fire and a tight lid is placed onto container, creating smoke which blackens any of the unglazed areas. Thermal shock usually produces an overall crackle on the glazed areas.

 

 

Horse hair raku is removed from the kiln at a lower temperature and is not put into a covered bin. The decoration occurs when strands of horse hair are laid across the hot ware leaving a swirling linear smoke design on the surface.

 

Saggar firing is a type of smoke firing in which each unglazed pot is enclosed and fired in a lidded container. Combustible materials and minerals are added to the container and the piece gets fired, getting the colors from the burning off of these materials creating a soft marbled look on the surface. Polishing with wax adds sheen.

 

 

Nancybernardeau-kiln

Nancy with her kiln

 

 

CH:  Why do you do what you do?

NB:  

Creating with clay offers me the opportunity to satisfy my tactile and visual needs. It also provides constant challenges with infinite learning experiences.

 

 

 

artisansnancybernardeauDSCN0058

One of a kind Ceramic by Nancy Bernardeau

CH: How do you work?

NB:

I am not a prolific production potter, although I am in awe of people who are able to do that. I concentrate on creating a few unique pieces at a time. I “nurture” these pieces from conception through fabrication and decoration, finally releasing them to share. The development of each clay piece is like raising a child. I do what I can for it to reach its potential. A great deal of thought, love and care is involved.

 

CH: What’s your background?

NB:

 

I was an art major in college and was exposed to many different art forms. I dabbled in painting, printmaking, jewelry, ceramics and specifically photography. Upon finishing my studies, I worked in commercial photography, and then fashion styling. I then moved to Florida with my husband and eventually became an art teacher certified to teach grades K-12. Upon retiring, I felt compelled to rekindle my love for clay and to dedicate myself to exploring it as an art form.

 

CH: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

NB:

Discipline, desire, PATIENCE, and the curiosity and willingness to explore and experiment. Risk-taking is important and not being afraid to fail.

 

 

nancybernardeaujar-with-jeweled-shoulder

Jar with Jeweled Shoulder by Nancy Bernardeau

 

 

CH: What role does the artist have in society?

NB:

For me the role of the artist is to provoke emotion and stimulate the senses by making people stop, think, perhaps question and, as a result, see things with a new perspective.

 

CH: What has been a seminal experience?

NB:

 

Combined with getting my own pottery wheel and kiln, I took a couple of wonderful and inspiring Master workshops. The first one was with raku master Steven Branfman. It was a transformative and inspiring experience. I started to incorporate glass embedded into my work and started to really enjoy glazing as if it were an abstract painting. Working this way gives me the joy and freedom to work more spontaneously and instinctively. I also participated in a formative workshop with Linda and Charles Riggs, masters of saggar firing, and other techniques that I love, such as naked raku, and horsehair firing.

 

artisansnancybernardeauDSCN0074

Horsehair Fired Vessel by Nancy Bernardeau

 

 

CH: How has your practice change over time

NB:

My biggest change was to concentrate on making an attractive form that can be used more decoratively, and also one of a kind, rather than concentrating on making many functional pieces with perfect craftsmanship.

 

CH:  What art do you most identify with?

NB: 

I love art that is vibrant and colorful, energetic and abstract. I enjoy different textures and I also appreciate art that is more monochromatic. I was always attracted to abstract landscape. My favorite artists are Picasso and Matisse.

 

CH: What work do you most enjoying doing?

NB:

I really enjoy making boxes that are embedded with glass. These pieces incorporate wheel throwing, hand-building, as well as the texture and color that the glass creates. The glass enables me to incorporate glaze around it, giving me an opportunity to add contrast and color. I usually finish these boxes off with an interesting wood handle found in nature. When searching for the perfect wood handle, one usually calls out to me because it has a “personality” or a soul. As much as I love color, I also enjoy, appreciate, and create more monochromatically. The monochrome pieces are created using naked raku, horse hair, and saggar fired techniques.

 

 

Nancy’s work can be seen at:


ARTISANS ON THE AVE
630 LAKE AVENUE   LAKE WORTH, FL 33460

561-762-8162 or 561-582-3300

Gallery Hours: Open 7 days a week

Monday thru Saturday 11am – 9pm
Sunday 11am – 6pm

 

 

 

For more information about Caren Hackman:

Caren Hackman is a graphic designer and fine artist living in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. and author of a book about Graphic Design and Good Business practice: http://www.carenhackman.com/book/.

Be sure to check out Caren’s wonderful artwork – Caren is a talented artist in her own right! She is a founding member of the Artists of Palm Beach County.

www.carenhackman.com

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291