Join Watershed’s Studio Manager Matthew Dercole to develop and expand your glaze palette through testing strategies and color blends utilizing mason stains and metal oxides. Participants will be engaged hands-on in Watershed’s glaze lab, learning about glaze materials, testing strategies, tools and techniques to develop a glaze palette. The workshop will focus on cone 6 oxidation firing, but these techniques are broadly applicable to other temperature ranges and firing approaches. Participants will be supplied with test tiles to use, but are welcome and encouraged to bring bisque ware and their own test tiles for additional testing and application.
November 1 & 2, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Public Fee: $410 (includes breakfast, lunch & clay)
K-12 Educator Fee: $65 (includes breakfast, lunch & clay)
Optional Housing: $65/night double room; $90/night single room
About Matthew
Matthew recently moved from Hartford, CT where he taught ceramics at the University of Hartford. Now Watershed’s Studio and Facilities Manager, Matthew received his MFA in Ceramics from the University of Iowa. He has held positions as Work Study at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia, and studio staff at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts. He has participated as Artist in Residence at the Lux Center for the Arts in Lincoln NE, Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago IL, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg TN. Matthew has worked for artist Theaster Gates and has held Instructor positions in ceramics at multiple art centers and universities across the US. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including museums in Spain, Croatia, South Korea and Slovenia.
Workshop Schedule
Daily Schedule:
Friday, Nov 1: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, Nov 2: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- 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 work home. See below for a full list of materials.
- Participants must agree to follow Watershed’s health & safety guidelines. Read them here.
What to Bring
Please bring:
- notebook & pen
- mason stains
- brushes
- Optional: mid-range bisqueware & test tiles
Watershed will provide:
- small containers for taking glaze home
- well-stocked glaze lab with materials & equipment
- base glaze for testing
- Cone 6 test tiles
- Personal Protective Equipment
Housing & Meals
Watershed provides continental breakfast and lunch Friday and Saturday. 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 on October 31st and November 1st should arrive between 2:00 p.m. and NO LATER THAN 4:00 p.m. on the 31st to check in and be shown to their room.
Those staying at Watershed only on November 1st should go directly to the studio on the morning of the 1st. Watershed staff will show you to your room during the midday workshop break.
Participants may also elect to stay off campus.
Payment & Refunds
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 September 1, fees are non-refundable but can be applied to a future Watershed program within the next calendar year.