DIY Artists’ Curatorial Guide

This course explores what happens after the artwork is finished—how to bring art out of the studio and into the world. Students will learn practical strategies for sharing their work, including applying to exhibitions, residencies, and grants, approaching galleries, and building an online presence. Beyond traditional pathways, the course emphasizes a DIY approach to exhibition-making, curation, and distribution. Through case studies—such as 19th-century painter Gustave Courbet—and visits to artist-run spaces in the New York City area, students will examine how artists have historically created their own platforms and audiences. We will also cover the basics of funding, collaboration, and legal considerations for independent projects. The course encourages students to think of their practice not only in terms of making art, but also shaping the contexts in which it is experienced.

Open to all Levels

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.

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.

Introduction to Sculpture

The fundamental issues in sculpture, such as material, process, context, form, scale, structure, and space will be introduced; combined with the elements and principles of design within the context of sculpture. A significant component will be the variety of materials that might be used - clay, wood, metal, and plaster, as well as the review of supplemental materials, including images, videos, and readings.