DIY Artists’ Curatorial Guide

This course will explore what we as artists can do for our art after the art is made. How to get our art out of the studio and into the world. How to get others, other than ourselves, to care about the art that we have made.

Applying for opportunities, residencies, grants, approaching galleries is certainly a part of this, also promoting on Instagram, we will learn about these. But also, a Do-It-Yourself attitude can take us way beyond established norms. Some have said that art is not art until it is exhibited, so how to take control of this aspect of art production? How to factor into our self conception not only making art but its distribution, its curation? Finishing the painting, or sculpture, or photograph is just the beginning, how then to install it, where and with whom?

We shall explore historical examples of artists who circumnavigated the status quo to get their work seen, most specifically 19th-century painter Gustave Courbet who is considered the first Modern partially due to how he addressed these questions as an artist. We shall visit artist-run spaces in the New York City area and meet the people behind these, often, communal situations. We shall explore commercial and non-profit financing and the legalities that come with self-starter endeavors. How to help ourselves while helping our fellow artists? How to create art as well as a context, a scene, a platform? How, indeed, to make art function not only in the studio but in the world?

Small Figure Sculpture

This course will introduce students to the process of making figurative sculpture.

Design and anatomy secrets of the old masters will be shared with artists committed to mastering the human figure. This course takes on the formidable task of how to organize the complexity of the human body as a construction and create figurative art that makes a dramatic and bold statement.

It is a journey through the human form with particular attention directed to mass, volume, structure, and principles of anatomy.

Students will be guided to develop a personal project, in which their individual needs will be considered. Including demonstrations and discussion, this course is structured for beginners and artists with previous experience and aims to provide a base in the necessary techniques of sculpture.

Sculpture in Clay

Clay is the medium of choice for this class. It has been a part of the creative sculptural process in the arts for over 13,000 years, it is the soil of the earth. You will be introduced of the different types of clay its history and its application to Sculpture. You will be shown and gain experience using the various types of tools used in shaping an object from its plasticity to its final cast or kiln fired form.

The fundamentals of Sculpture, of creating a form in space, will be rigorously addressed and applied to a variety of choices including, but not limited to
the figure in the round, a fragment, torso, foot, hand, or creating the Bas Relief or a composition in the abstract. Lecture and critiques are included.
The class is structured towards the individual, therefore all levels and experience are welcomed. The more advanced artist is invited to create within a narrative of their choice.

Kiln firing fee, if applicable, is not included.
No tools are necessary for the first class

The beginning student will quickly gain comfort and a facility towards an ease of creating.

Sculpture: Portrait

In this course, you will learn how to do a realistic human head from start to finish, exploring the anatomy of the face in-depth, proportions, features, and expressions. You’ll learn the principles of building armatures and handling clay.

All work in clay from the life model.

All levels of experience are welcomed.

Sculpture: Unconventional Materials

In collaboration with the instructor, students will learn different ways to represent what they want to say. We will discuss the formal aspects of sculpture and explore ways to use unconventional materials to create sculptures or installations. By studying other artists and what inspires them to do their work, students will learn to be more intentional about selecting materials, forms, and the physical space. Students must bring materials to the first class.

Introduction to Metal Sculpture

This class aims to explore the different technical approaches to metal sculpture construction and its conceptual implications throughout history from figurative to abstract.
Students will learn to create metal sculptures by making joints and assemblies using different techniques such as bending, tightening, sewing, riveting, screwing, gluing, spot welding and free-cutting organic and concrete shapes.
Note: Be in comfortable cotton clothing and close-toed shoes. Refrain from flowing clothing.