Lesson plans

[offcntr]

After a nearly 20-year gap, I find myself a teacher again.

Well, sort of.

I've taught a lot, over the years. A scifi-based Philosophy class and an Art History survey back at Viterbo, in the 80's; TA with a beginning ceramics class in graduate school, followed by ten-plus years of beginning ceramics, hand building and sculpture, and various specialty one-offs as a resident potter at the UO Craft Center afterwards (including a teddy bear-making workshop). Also a few terms teaching at Maude Kerns after the Craft Center gig went away.

But for a long time, now, I've been concentrating on making and selling pottery. Now, all of a sudden, I’m teaching two workshops in as many weeks.

Well, a demo and a workshop. This Friday I'll be presenting a demonstration of my sculpture techniques at the Oregon Potters Association monthly meeting in Portland. The demo is part of the traditional recognition for winning Best-of-Show at Ceramic Showcase, but as they'd only begun the awards again after several years' hiatus, nobody remembered until nearly a year later. So I'm figuring out the best way to present on my idiosyncratic slab-sculpture techniques, for an audience of who-knows-how many, with whatever tools I manage not to forget to bring the two hours up I-5 from my studio.

Stressed? Me? What gives you that idea?

The workshop is actually easier. I've presented my brush making and decorating workshop (new favorite title: From Tails to Tools) a number of times over the years, so am reasonably confident I can do it once again. I'm going to be out at Lane Community College Friday May 18, at the invitation of the student ceramics club. They're expecting anywhere between 10 and 20 students, so I need to be sure I have enough epoxy, bamboo, and squirrel tails. Hmmm. I saw a roadkill on the way home from downtown yesterday morning.

Wonder if it's still there?