Performance requirements: My equipment is contained on a cart, so I would need a ramp or lift to get to the area. I will bring my pottery wheel, water, clay and additional tools including a fused multi-strip and 40 foot extension cord.
I will lay a tarp and a second vinyl covering on the floor. All I need from you is a standard 15 amp outlet.
We can enjoy this program indoors or outdoors.
Children will not need tables or chairs but will be sitting on the floor, horseshoe style, around the wheel.
No water is needed for the pinch pot making section of the program. This is a very clean program, please don’t expect any clay remnants to pick up. Each venue should must have someone in attendance if needed due to an arising emergency.
My role is as a guest performer and I should not be viewed as an agent of the venue.
Basic Performance: The duration is 1 ½ to 2 hours, depending on the number of questions. This is really an all ages program that has been enjoyed by over 170 audiences over the last 20 years throughout Massachusetts. Several community and senior centers have coordinated inter-generational programs. The Basic Program is done at Senior Centers and Art Centers.
PR: I will supply the venue with a number of posters and coordinate with the venue for other media to contact.
Outline: 1-Demonstration of the four techniques of how clay is shaped
2-Demonstration of the three shapes necessary to know to make the pots done on the wheel
3-Damp bowl is passed around and questions taken. Discuss difference of greenware, pottery, etc.
I will also discuss how to find clay and the history of pottery making locally and/or in Massachusetts.
4-Demonstration of odd pot, could be a double walled pot or a multiple piece pot such as a teapot
5-Demonstration of figural forming such as a dinosaur, dragon, Bart Simpson, gnome etc
6-Pinch pottery workshop with, depending on the time remaining, touching the turning pot on the wheel.
Pots are to be taken home at the end of workshop and can be fired to cone 06-02 if a kiln is available.
7-Finalé with Q and A.
Changes are to be expected to this outline in accordance to the actual time that your patrons arrive (I have seen up to 20 minutes delay in starting time) and of whether the program is a formal sit down audience or an informal pedestrian crowd such as at a festival. Always incorporated into the performance will be references to the historical clay industries and sources found in Massachusetts. The language of pottery and our use of phrases based on the potters’ trade will be explored as well as a short pottery folk tale might be told. The Magic of the Potter’s Wheel also discusses how to secure the proper attitude and tools to enhance cultivating your imagination and confidence. Additionally, my notes below highlight those changes that must be done to successfully incorporate my performance to various venues:
Library Performance: During this performance, I make reference to your pottery book selection, which we will review prior to the program. This performance is designed to include the MLA Summer Reading program.
School Performance: It is very important for me to demonstrate my basic program. I will adjust it to suit class time constraints. I have put together a very successful performance and I will incorporate throwing specific pots relevant to the current course studies. Demonstrations of pots made in various centuries or by various cultures is not difficult for me. I have prepared and demonstrated Colonial, Early American, Spanish, German, Chinese, Lebanese and other potteries for many schools. I will emphasize what best incorporates the current studies, including discussing art as a career. Prior preparation with each teacher is very important and class time affects the ultimate performance.
Historical Society Performance: I would be discussing and throwing more specific wares concerning pots made prior to the year 1900 with discussions about the clay industries historically found in Massachusetts.
Outdoor Art Festivals and Town Fairs: In this arena, a more informal demonstration would be done that is designed to incorporate the various groups found in attendance. Everything is thrown. The basic program cannot be done as most people don’t sit for two hours. I would discuss local history, throw multicultural forms and discuss (if vendors are present) techniques and styles of the pottery being sold at the fair. Pinch pottery workshops are very difficult to do at a venue such as this. I have successfully announced the formal start time through the main speaker for the pinch pottery workshop as well as my a simple casual involvement