August Craft Masterclasses

Resident artists Adam Frew and Catherine Keenan will be teaching several masterclasses in August, offering the opportunity of learning techniques from these experienced makers.

 

2 Day Glass Beadmaking Classes

 

-7th+8th August

-28th+29th August

10am-4pm each day

Tutor: Catherine Keenan

Glass maker Catherine Keenan will teach the unique process of making a glass bead on a gas fueled lampworking torch.  Learn how to work with the molten material, ways of achieving different shapes and how to apply a variety of patterns.

Maximum 6 students.

Fee: £85 (includes materials)

 

4 Day Pottery Masterclass 

 

21st-24th August

10am-5pm each day

 

Tutor: Adam Frew

 

Work with Adam Frew, a talented young potter who throws pots of bold dynamic quality. As part of his workshop, participants will have the chance to make their own energetic pots on a wheel under Adam’s guidance.  The first workshop advertised for this August has already filled up, so book quickly to get a place!!

Maximum 6 students.

Fee: £110 (includes materials)

To book contact Flowerfield Arts Centre on 028 70831400  or email: info@flowerfield.org

Film of Scott Benefield Glassblowing

Scott Benefield's glassblowing demonstration at Flowerfield Arts Centre on Sunday 3rd June.

Film by resident potter Adam Frew

Glassblowing Demonstration

Last Sunday Scott Benefield and Andrea Spencer arrived at Flowerfield Arts Centre with their portable electric furnace and 'flat-packed' studio!  With in a very short space of time the pottery room here was converted into a fully functioning glassblowing studio, with furnace, bench, glory-hole and marver.

The event kicked off at 2pm, firstly with a short lampworking demonstration by Catherine Keenan and then with Scott and Andrea explaining the process of blowing to an enthralled audience.  It was a rare opportunity to witness blowing molten glass in Northern Ireland and for many people it was the first time they saw the process up close.

First gather from Scott's new furnace

Onlooking crowd as Scott marvers the glass

Scott shaping the glass as Andrea blows

Andrea bringing a punty

Opening the vessel

Making a lip on a jug

Andrea making a handle

Putting the handle on

Finishing the beer mug!

Resident artist Catherine Keenan gathering

Shaping the bubble

Furnace going home!

Wood Firing Workshop

Last Saturday, 2nd June, Flowerfield Arts Centre hosted a wood firing workshop run by resident potter, Adam Frew, and assisted by Peter Montgomery.  It was a rare and exhilarating opportunity for participants to not only have pieces fired in an outdoor kiln fuelled by wood, but also to help in the actual stoking of the kiln through out the day.  The workshop began at 9am with students glazing pots and then packing the kiln.  Then a small fire was lit at the front , and stoked throughout the day giving a steady climb in temperature up to 1300℃.  The grand finale of 'crash cooling' the kiln saw Adam and Peter packing as much wood in as they could before sealing the kiln.

The wood firing was successful in creating interesting effects on the pots, the flames coloured the pots and the wood ash formed glazes, warm reds to cool blues.

Stoking the kiln

The grand finale: crash cooling

Reduction cool

Kiln sealed up

Peter, Adam and participants, Laurian and Frieda

Fired Pots