Workshop with Natalia Arbelaez

Natalia Arbelaez is a Colombian American artist, born and raised in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents. She received her B.F.A. from Florida International University and her M.F.A. from The Ohio State University, with an Enrichment Fellowship. In 2016-2017 she was a Rittenberg Fellow at Clay Art Center; Port Chester, New York and was awarded the Inaugural Artaxis Fellowship that funded a residency to Watershed in Newcastle, ME. Her work has been exhibited internationally, in museums, galleries, and included in various collections, such as the Everson Museum, MAD Museum, Fuller Museum and The ICA Miami. She has been recognized by NCECA as a 2018 Emerging Artist and was a 2018-19 resident artist at the Ceramics Program at Harvard University where she researched pre-Columbian art and histories.

Natalia was an artist in residence at the Museum of Art and Design in New York City where she researched the work of historical and influential women ceramicists of color and continued this research as a 2021 and 2023 Visiting Artist at AMOCA in Pomona, CA. She lives and works in The Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York.

Daily Schedule:
Friday, April 26: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 27: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 28: 9:00 a.m. to noon

• Please arrive at the studio by 8:45 a.m. each day; instruction begins at 9:00 a.m. The group will break for lunch at 12:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
• The workshop fee includes clay to use during the workshop session. Individual workspace and shelving will be provided. Workshop participants should plan to bring their own tools and packing material to transport greenware home. See below for a full list of materials.
• Participants must agree to follow Watershed’s health & safety guidelines. Read them here.

Watershed provides continental breakfast Friday-Sunday and lunch on Friday and Saturday during the workshop. Vegetarian and gluten free  diets can be accommodated. Those with additional dietary needs are welcome to bring supplemental food to store and prepare in Watershed’s studio kitchenette.

Workshop participants make their own dinner arrangements. Various restaurants and take-out options are accessible via car.

On-Campus Housing

Watershed offers housing in single occupancy or double occupancy rooms furnished with twin beds. Single occupancy rooms are $90/night and double rooms are $65/night. Those who would like to reserve housing may do so with their registration.

Bathroom facilities are shared but can be used by one person at a time, much like a bathroom in a home. Participants must bring their own sheets, blankets, and bath towels. Pillows and mattress pads are provided. 

Housing is limited; participants requesting housing and will be assigned rooms on a first-come, first-served basis.

Those staying overnight at Watershed from April 25^th through April 27^th should arrive between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on the 25^th to check in and be shown to their room.

Those staying at Watershed only on April 26^th and 27^th should go directly to the studio on the morning of the 26^th. Watershed staff will show you to your room during the midday workshop break.

Participants may also elect to stay off campus.

For all workshop participants: 

• Needle tool
• Shimpo banding wheel
• Ribs (rubber, metal)
• Metal knife
• Wooden knife
• Xacto knife (optional)
• Other favorite tools

For those staying on campus:

• Sheets for a twin bed
• A blanket, comforter, or sleeping bag suitable for a twin bed
• Bath towel and toiletries

The workshop fee and any housing fees are due in full with your registration.

If you need to drop out of the workshop, Watershed will refund your fees, less a $50 processing fee, until 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. For cancellations made after March 28, fees are non-refundable but can be applied to a future Watershed program within the next calendar year.