By Isaiah Smith/entertainment editor
A sculpting workshop on NE Campus this weekend will draw speakers and participants from across the United States.
Extrudaganza, the Potters Council Regional Conference Workshop, will be sponsored by the NE art department and the Northeast Campus Association of Potters and Sculptors, Feb. 2-3.
This is the first time the Potters Council has been in Texas and the first time a ceramic event of this importance will be held at TCC, Karmien Bowman, associate professor of art, said.
Extrudaganza focuses on the extruder, a potter’s tool often forgotten in the corner of a studio, and tries to bring it to the forefront. Clay coming from an extruder has a hard-edged, tooled look that some sculptors find hard to work with.
Professional potters and students from all over the United States and Texas will attend. TCC students can attendExtrudaganza free.
Bowman said both days of the conference are packed with things to do and see beginning at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2. Several sculptors and potters are scheduled to give demonstrations. Speakers include William Shinn, Diana Pancioli, Mark Epstein, David Hendley, Karmien Bowman and Daryl Baird.
Among other things, the presenters will show how to mix unique dyes, create large forms both directly and indirectly and use post-extruding tools.
Extrudaganza Pottery, a current exhibit, showcases the extruded pottery of several of the scheduled presenters. The exhibit in the upstairs lobby of the NE Campus Library, is on display until the end of the conference. Extrud-A-Rama, a showcase of extruded pottery made by TCC students, will be on display during the conference in College Hall (NCAB 1111).
The Extrudinaires, a musical group formed specifically for potters who use clay extruders, will play during Friday’s dinner reception. The group will perform music from its CD Music to Extrude By and potters’ favorites, including “The Cobalt Blues” and “The Potter’s Tango.”
The event will be capped off by a Saturday night pottery exchange. Potters who wish to participate should bring a piece of their own creation to exchange with another potter.
For a full list of events or for more information on Extrudaganza and the Potters Council, visit www.potterscouncil.org/extrudaganza or call 866-721-3322.
