If your idea of fun is a weekend learning and creating beautiful pieces of pottery,
then you would of loved the National Ceramics Week in San Angelo, Texas.
It was the ultimate weekend. We arrived in Dallas Weds. night where some of
us spent the night at Gails, and some stayed at an apartment, owned by John and
Darlene of Trinity Ceramics. Gail had prepared wine and cheese and other goodies for us. Which we all enjoyed very much!
The following morning began with a five hour drive to San Angelo. The weekend events kicked into gear Thursday afternoon with a workshop
with clay artist Randy Brodnax. Art instructor at Cedar Valley
College in Lancaster, TX
Randy demonstrated his wheel thrown pottery techniques.
All the "Chicks" recieved one of Randys pots.
We are all thrilled to get one. Thank you
Randy!
Later that evening we dined at our favorite mexican restraunt, Franco's. It's
just down the block from the Chicken Farm. Then back to the farm for
great conversation and lots of fun!
Friday morning we were back in Randys workshop. Where again, we spent the day learning and sharing
pottery techniques. About four in the afternoon we headed back to get cleaned up for the Opening Reception of the 18th San Angelo National Ceramic Competition at the Museum of Fine Arts. A juried exhibit that features work from leading ceramic artists as well as undiscovered new talent from arcross the Nation, Canada and Mexico. In addition to the opening, a series of other events took place in many nearby locations.
Friday culminated with our own, sort of, private dinner at the Chicken Farm. Where Bill, Randy and Jerry put a feast of barbecue ribs, Randys dirty rice and corn on the cob for us, and about 50 others. They were kind enough to share their secret recipes, and they will be posted in Creative Chicks Recipe Page.
Ceramics weekend contiuned on Saturday morning at the Old Chicken Farm Art Center with a demonstration conducted by "Invited Artist Susan Beiner". The all day workshop included a wonderful lunch from the Chicken Farms "Silo Restraunt". After lunch we went back to the demonstration with Susan.
The "Chicks" took home lots of ideas from her workshop, including how to make "GOOP". More ideas listed under the Creative Chicks Crafts and Projects page.
Later that afternooon, Randy shared his
instructions and techniques
for preparing a wood fire Raku Kiln.
Mickey and the girls cut and hauled the firebrick that Randy used to
build the kiln. This kiln had never been built before. This was an idea
that Randy had been thinking about. So it was quite awesome
to experience this project.
With the hard work behind them the participants'
pieces were then gently placed inside the
kiln. And firewood was delicatly placed inside.
We were happily surprised at the outcome of this
project. Late that afternoon and into the evening we
raku fired one of the other kilns at the chicken farm.
Jeremy had prepared pots for us to purchase. We
then glazed the pots and they were fired. The technique
we used was spraying the pots with etching spray,
after they were removed from the hot kiln. We then
wrapped the pot in newspaper and a damp towel
was placed around it. The pots turned out beautiful
with a golden glow and lots of crackle.
On Saturday evening we all enjoyed the Texas Barbecue Dinner. Complete with musical evertainment. And you betcha, we danced the night away. We would like to thank John and Darlene Williams, Pam Baldine and Roger Allen, Kathy and Randy Brodnax and all the other many friends we made during this magical weekend. To the delight of all of us, our goal of learning, inspiring and sharing was achieved. See ya all next year, for sure!
