Make your visit fun and meaningful by getting to know the city’s art, culture, history, heritage and people. Workshops, classes and experiences taught by local community members in vibrant artists’ studios and other settings make a Santa Fe visit all the more memorable. Work with an artisan to learn glass blowing, ceramics or another craft; learn some flamenco dance moves with a Santa Fe performer; take a walk in the beautiful Santa Fe landscape and learn about the Native American and Spanish history of the area. With over 90 experiences to choose from, there is something for everyone.
Experiences run from a few hours to weeks long. Some are even free of charge. Check the offerings in these exciting categories:
Heidi will demonstrate classical wheel thrown vessels of all sizes. She will make the clay “dance” in sensuous forms while in the squishy state. Students will experience what it is like to throw a bowl in the air and catch it – creating delightful, amorphic forms, unique as snowflakes. Heidi assures good fun.
Students may learn Heidi’s famous chattering and carving expand techniques in clay that is leather. For the adventurous, she will create large scale vessels, adding coils and shaping with flame from a propane torch.
No previous art experience required. All ages welcome. The only requirement is a sense of humor! Print Me,Email Me, Bookmark Me!
Have you ever wanted to set the beautiful piece of turquoise or other stones you couldn’t resist buying?
Here is your chance to wear your rock and learn the art of silver smithing for jewelry making. You do not have to be of Indian Blood to appreciate and love their work. The Navajo Indians inspired me to become a jeweler years ago!
Learn to work in kilnformed glass at Bullseye Glass Company’s respected teaching studio, known to enthusiasts everywhere as a world-class education and supply center. To this popular destination, beginners as well as experts come year-round to attend classes, demonstrations and lectures led by national and international artists.
Kilnforming is the shaping of glass within a kiln. Kilnforming methods include fusing, slumping and kilncasting as well as drawing, painting and printmaking techniques. These methods are quite accessible and easily learned through courses and publications developed by Bullseye Glass Company—a manufacturer of colored glass for art and architecture since 1974, actively involved in teaching programs at studios, schools, museums and universities around the globe.
At Bullseye Resource Center, staff instructors and well-known guest artists come together with (adult) students in a friendly atmosphere. They encourage fine design and craftsmanship and teach leading edge approaches. Please visit the website to see the current schedule of classes and events.
Bullseye Resource Center is conveniently situated at the edge of Santa Fe’s arts-rich Railyard District, close to affordable lodging, good restaurants and generous (free) parking.
This studio specializes in glass casting services for artists. Utilizing the lost wax casting process, the visitor will learn the stages of glass casting. Each stage of the process is explained along with examples. The studio is set in a picturesque canyon located 20 minutes outside of Santa Fe. The tour is 40 – 60 minutes long.
Comments: This tour can be an accompaniment to other stops north of Santa Fe. Availability must be confirmed beforehand to make sure the artist-in-residence can give the tour.
John received his early training from his father, Ivan Houser, who was Assistant Sculptor to Gutzon Borglum in the early years of carving Mt. Rushmore.
Completing his studies in Europe he lived and worked among various cultures of the world including: American Gypsies, Roman faquiri (Italian street performers), Migrant workers, Gullah Blacks of South Carolina, Lacandon Indians of the Chiapan rain forest (Mexico), Seri Indians along the coastal desert of Sonora (Mexico) and the Puebloan peoples of New Mexico.
In 2009 John installed The Equestrian, a four story rearing horse with rider, recognized as the world’s largest equine bronze. This monument is the second in a series of twelve for the XII Travelers Memorial of the Southwest, a sculpture walk (originated by John) for El Paso, Texas; commemorating 400 years of Southwest history from El Paso del Norte to Santa Fe. It was cast at Shidoni Foundry (Santa Fe) and a casting of the colossal head can be seen on Santa Fe’s famous Canyon Road. John is now developing, with his son (sculptor Ethan Taliesin), the third XII Travelers monument, depicting Susan Shelby Magoffin of the Santa Fe/Chihuahua Trail.
Your PULSE OF CLAY session will begin in the artist’s working studio with a 3-hour head modeling demonstration from life by the sculptor; followed by hands-on learning of modeling techniques, sculptural expression, structure, composition, and movement.
The workshop, designed for beginning/advanced students — including art appreciators who wish to deepen their understanding and sensitivity — will give you a reliable compass for continuing an independent and rewarding sculptural journey.
You will be provided with a modeling stand, armature, clay and a live model. You may purchase the clay and take your work home or arrange to have it cast in bronze. On Saturday you may wish to attend a public bronze pouring at nearby Shidoni Foundry.
Enjoy the comradeship of your fellow explorers, stimulating study, anecdotes of local Southwest history, a deicious graduation lunch…and a tangible record of your achievement– not to mention the rich cultural diversity and multiple attractions of Santa Fe — the most concentrated art capital in the world.
John Sherrill is now organizing special, ongoing Saturday morning classes (soon to be announced) that may be enjoyed by visitors with individual advance enrollment.
We hope you will join in sharing with us your passion, excitement, and input.
Viva Sculpture! Viva Santa Fe!
Press – Sculptural Pursuit – Winter 2008 www.johnsherrillhouser.com
