Glass Ornament Workshop!

As much as I would have loved to take a workshop with Sara's internship supervisor, the timing simply did not work to our advantage. That did not stop me from my dream of learning the basics of glassblowing though! I researched some other places that offered workshops and came across Chicago Hot Glass Studio. They had a glass ornament class and I had to sign up. What a great idea so close to the holidays.
I walked in to this inconspicuous studio in a very industrial neighborhood and was instantly amazed. The space was HUGE! Very simply set up though, everything seemed quite straight forward. Things were lined up nicely and looked easy to navigate.

To my surprise, we were not working with any of the kilns. My teacher took us over to a table with a bunch of individual torches attached to the bottom and this was where our class would take place. Also, we were not using typical pipes to blow the glass...there were very convenient little bubbles of glass attached to a glass straw that we had to fill with colored glass pieces and there ya go: instant ornament! 

All we had to do was heat up the bubble at the torch until it got red hot and the color melted into the walls of the bubble and then we took the bubble off the fire and put it perpendicular to the floor and blew through the straw and the glass expanded and hardened. The whole process took about 5 minutes to make one ornament. Not as easy as it sounds though! There is a strict blowing to twirling ratio as the glass expands that is actually pretty difficult to perfect. This is also just one 30 minute workshop...I don't think my teacher expected us to be making excellent ornaments. It was definitely fun though!

This is where we had to put the ornaments still attached to the straw so they could cool down. 

Success! 3 of those 5 actually got made into ornaments....3/5 success!

Hyde Park Art Center Tour!

Even though I was not able to find a workshop to do at Hyde Park Art Center, my art seminar teacher, Martina, asked me if I would like to have a private tour of the center given by one of her friends that works there! How could I say no?! We met up early in the morning and had some much needed warm drinks at the adorable cafe attached to HPAC. Martina's friend Darrell Roberts met up with us and took us into the classroom section of the center. This is the portal you go through to get to the classrooms!!!

The coke machine is actually a door! How cool is that! Martina agreed to be my wonderful model. The classrooms are pretty standard and really efficient. They have a darkroom too. Definite plus in my book. They are also in the process of expanding the rooms and changing some of the set up. 

Next we got to see the gallery space. It is so open and bright with a bank of windows letting in a ton of natural light. There is even a walkway above the gallery so you can go upstairs and view it from the top. I was also able to get a really informative view on some important Chicago artists who exhibit their art at HPAC. Here's a little glimpse into the gallery from the hallway...not exactly the best shot of the gallery but this is what the main thoroughfare looks like.

The tour went on to visit another gallery space and the resident artists' hallway. Every corner turned and every door opened seemed to lead to an entire wing. The center is set up so nicely and has a very effective use of space. I also got to meet the director who is SO nice! She actually started out as an intern at HPAC, there is hope for us all! I picked up a volunteer form for the summer. I was so lucky to tag along with Martina to experience this great art venue. I wish I could have taken a workshop there! I am in love. It was a wonderful morning.

Ceramics Workshop

Last week our Art seminar class went to Lincoln Square Pottery Center for a workshop on creating Arts and Crafts themed tiles! I could not ask for better subject matter! I am kind of obsessed with Motawi Tiles. The atmosphere at Lincoln Square is really relaxed and very independent feeling with great tunes playing. The workshop was even cooler because one of my classmates interns at Lincoln Square and she was able to lead the class. First we learned how to roll out clay slabs on a slab roller (I have taken a few classes in ceramics but I am always amazed at how perfectly flat and smooth the roller makes the clay). Then we were each given a small square of clay to carve our creation. Hallie (my classmate) brought out some books on the Arts and Crafts movement to give us some inspiration with our tiles. I love how the motifs are usually of plants and things found in nature but they are also designed in a way very reminiscent of geometric shapes. I tried my best to base my design on the traditional Arts and Crafts ideals and shapes. I can't wait to see how mine turned out!
Everyone's looked pretty cool in the initial greenware stages...greenware is what unfired ceramics is called. Here are some snapshots of the workshop.

My teacher, Martina, and Sara working hard on their tiles!

Hallie showing us different tools to use for different markings.

My tile!