Harnessing clay to explore your ideas

Description

·         6-session 1:1 program that will teach you how to connect to your creativity using clay. 

·         No experience necessary.

·         In person in my Rose Bay studio, Sydney OR online via Zoom. Weekdays.

Course information

Goals

  • Make an artwork with clay that is a tangible expression of your thoughts, feelings and ideas (mixed-media materials can be incorporated as needed).

  • Learn foundational pottery techniques or build on existing ones.

  • Feel confident in your ability to make art.

  • Feel connected to your unique creative flow.

  • Feel an enhanced sense of wellbeing.

Course Breakdown

  • 6 sessions total.

  • 2-hours duration each.

  • Flexibly spaced weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Why Learn with Me?

  • I am skilled at teaching beginners as well as students with advanced skills.

  • I am skilled at adapting classes for people with additional needs, or with physical or mental challenges.

  • I am passionate about helping others connect to their creativity in a meaningful way.

 My Education and Teaching Experience

  • I have completed degrees at 2 excellent art schools. Bezalel Academy in Jerusalem and UNSW Art & Design in Sydney.

  • I have been teaching pottery in the community-focused pottery studio at Bondi Pavilion since 2008.

  • I have been teaching in my own studio since 2018.

  • I have run freelance group workshops since 2015.

  • I have worked with people from ages 5 – 95.

  • I came to art relatively late after I was established in a nursing career. I had no connections to visual arts and despite this was able to develop my skills to a professional level.

  • I have gained immense joy from making art which I would like to share with others.

  • I am a practicing artist.

Why One-on-One?

·             The pace and content are adapted to each student.

·             Time is used to maximum advantage.

·             It’s your time.

 


Course Outline:

Session 1 - Saying Hello

In this first session, we will get to know each other and talk through your initial thoughts. There is plenty of time for you to tell me about yourself, your aspirations and your past experiences with creativity or art. There is no need to arrive with any ideas for pre-planned projects, just an openness to what may unfold naturally. We will make some simple clay models and pencil sketches to start the process.  Optional: Students who would like to continue to explore between sessions will be given a clay kit to take home.

Session 2 – Let’s Make

If you are a beginner, I will teach you basic skills such as coiling, pinching and building with slabs of clay. Wheel throwing is incorporated on request. I will include information for sourcing materials, joining clay parts, storing, drying and decorating. If you already have ceramic skills, I will help you with technical issues, troubleshooting or advice. This week we will look at the works from the previous session and build from them. 

Session 3 – Develop and Refine

We will start by examining the works-in-progress and I will teach you methods to analyse them such as De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats. These will help you describe what you have made. We will sketch out different ways to develop the piece/s and will continue to work on elements that can be improved or enhanced. This could be changing the form’s scale/proportions, adding texture, decorating and so on. 




Session 4 – More Making

Before continuing to develop the piece/s, we will look at them and discuss what is working and what can be improved. You will continue to build and make according to these findings. I will be available to help with technical aspects and for ongoing feedback as needed.

Session 5 – Resolve and Refine

We will repeat the analysis done in session 3 and explore the ideas, feelings and themes that are arising. We will continue to work on elements that can be improved or enhanced. We will discuss titles for the works and write a few lines describing the process and artworks.

Session 6 – Exhibition and reflection

In this final session, we will set out the work as an exhibition, taking into account display methods, like plinths or stands. We will view the work together and each give comments and feedback. We will reflect together on the experience and plan your next steps beyond the program. These may include further sessions with me, joining a communal studio, signing up for a class to learn a specific skill. I will refer and recommend based on what has arisen during the course.

Teaching Style

My teaching philosophy is that every person is creative. Skills can be attained at any stage of life and everyone has their unique way of expression. I guide students with respect and care, aware that trying something new can feel daunting.  

Working one-on-one enables me to get to know you and adapt the program to your specific needs. Whether in pursuit of enjoyment, self-understanding/expression or with professional goals in mind, we work with a ‘start where you are’ approach. The result depends on what evolves in your creations and this allows you to relax, focus and enjoy the process without pressure. 

What Prompted Me to Create this Course?

A few things…

My tendency is to work slowly, thoroughly and deeply. In my former career as a nurse, I started out working in general wards, but soon found I was more suited to ICU work where I could focus on one patient per shift. In my art studies, I was a quiet student and sometimes experienced the feeling of being rushed and having my ‘5 minutes with the teacher’ interrupted by a more dominant student. I have also been on the teaching end of this where I have a group of students and feel that I cannot focus on each one as much as required.   

I loved my studies and teaching in a bustling community studio, however, two recent experiences prompted me to incorporate individualised teaching to my offered classes. The first was teaching private classes through Classbento, and realising how well this suited my nature, where I could tailor the lesson to each person and respond in depth to any questions raised. The second was through a one-on-one mentoring program with Artist Amy Kennedy - where I was the student again - and the great impact this had on my work. I received focused attention that allowed me to connect with clarity and depth to what I wanted to make. Understanding the benefits from both sides, I have designed this course with all the lessons gleaned.

Who is this program for?

  • You want to work with clay and prefer to learn 1:1.

  • You are currently learning in a group or alone and want personalised mentoring about an art project.

  • You sense a creative voice inside that is wanting expression.

  • You feel overlooked when learning in a group setting.

  • You would like to learn new techniques or you have skills already and would like to go deeper.

  • You are stuck in a creative project.

  • You need help starting a new project.

  • You would like to try ceramics.

 Price

AU$900 paid in full upfront. Covers all 6 sessions and includes material and firing.

OR

2 payments of AU$500, one at the start and the second payment at session 4.

OR

AU$200/session, paid at each session.


Continued sessions (after the 6 sessions are completed) are $200/session.

 

You receive:

·             Six 2-hour 1:1 sessions with me.

·             A comprehensive written summary documenting your process.

·             A clay kit to use at home for the duration of the course.

·             A personalised plan on how to continue your creative journey.

 

Sounds great but you have a few questions…

Email me at leanne.berelowitz@gmail.com or call mobile 0421-951-986.