Immersive Study
Ceramic Residencies
In our converted 1875 milking barn overlooking the kitchen garden, residents will receive daily instruction by our ceramic artists-in-residence.
The week will provide a comprehensive introduction to a clay practice alongside ample time for rest and creative rejuvenation amidst Worlds End’s gardens, hammocks, animals and breathtaking vistas. The farm environment is an enriching setting to learn and share a dialogue about creative work and process, with a supportive community of farmer artists. No previous experience is necessary and all skill levels are welcome.
Each resident will have access to the studio’s various clays (earthenware, porcelain, stoneware, and studio reclaim) and receive personalized instruction in using a pottery wheel (Amaco Brent) and other studio tools. In addition to the wheel, the studio features a large plaster wedging table, a large communal hand building table, iron banding wheels, an XL Northstar extruder with hollow and solid dies, 2 electric kilns, many plaster forming molds, an outdoor sink, and access to in-house studio glazes. Students also may be curious to dig/forage their own clay onsite, along fields of blooming florals that can be used for styling/photographing work.
This program is geared towards those interested in working with clay for the first time, and those looking to enliven their existing ceramic studio practice in the situated environment of the farm. Regardless of skill level, all residents will be able to return home with a rejuvenated sense of belonging through their residency time at Worlds End.
Dates —
May 21-26, 2024 (Taught by Michael Coates - focus on wheel throwing)
October 8-13 (Taught by Kris Mounsey - focus on handbuilding)
Residency details —
This residency will teach the lifecycle of a ceramic piece— from the soil outside, to the fired pot that is used at dinnertime. In the wheel throwing concentration, we will begin the week learning wedging, centering, coning and pulling walls on the wheel. As the week progresses more detailed demonstrations of trimming, adding handles and deconstructing thrown work will be discussed. If you are already experienced at throwing, the course can become a way to expand your current practice, diving deep into more advanced technique and exploring new forms and shapes. The week will end with discussion about working with clay in your own space, as a group we will review and discuss the work created and go through the glazing and firing process. All tools and materials are provided, but please feel free to bring your own should you prefer to work with them.
Michael’s work —
Kris’ work —
What to expect —
Worlds End is a 107 acre working farm and home to a group of artists, farmers and writers. Although we live communally, sharing the responsibilities and resources of the land, we also highly value solitude. Each of us uses this place to explore our individual artistic practices and our relationships to the natural world.
At the beginning of the week, residents are given introductions to the Worlds End campus spaces, indoor and out. The purpose of the residency program is for students to be immersed in a space and structure that allows for a deeper understanding of their personal relationship to art and nature, making and creating.
If you come to Worlds End to see our farming practice first hand, we will make sure that our farmer, Mark House is available to discuss agricultural ideas and questions you may have. If you're interested in soap making or mixing essential oils, we'll make sure Susan is around to share her knowledge. If you want to carve out some time for yourself this season and give yourself an unusual retreat then we'll make sure to offer you lots of quiet time, a map of our favorite hiking trails and a bedroom that overlooks our lily pond.
Logistics —
Worlds End Farm is located in Esperance, NY, 30 miles west of Albany. Transportation to and from the farm must be arranged by you personally. Price is inclusive of lodging, three meals a day, snacks, coffee and sales tax, as well as materials, firing fee and shipping of your finished pieces. Some residents may wish to bring specific art materials. Each resident has a private room with with a double or queen bed. Shared bathrooms. Excellent cell phone service for most networks and wifi. Residents arrive in the afternoon on Tuesdays, are settled in and are then asked to be at dinner at 7:30pm. Subsequent meals can be taken in solitude though we typically eat together in the large breezeway of the barn. There are generally 6-8 of us here at any given time. Residents leave on Sundays after lunch and before 4pm.
Sign up here for our 2024 Ceramic Residency. Space is limited to 4 residents.
The $3,800 fee is inclusive of everything all meals, materials and lodging. Does not include transportation to Worlds End Farm.
2024 Ceramics Residency (Deposit)
$1,900.00
The residency will take place May 21-26 or October 8-13. This is a deposit of one half of the residency total cost.
The total cost of the residency (Tuesday - Sunday) is $3,800 and inclusive of all materials, lodging and meals. To reserve a spot in the week of your choosing, we ask for half the total now ($1,900) and will invoice you via email for the second half ($1,900) one month prior to your arrival.
Deposits are non-refundable but may be transferable in special circumstances. If enrollment is not met one month prior to start date, the residency will be cancelled and deposits returned.
To organize a different payment plan, you can email susan@saipua.com
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