Grace’s art background is anchored in art education, having taught art in NYC, Texas, and CT, most recently having taught grades 6 – 12. art at Ethel Walker School until 2017. She is now homeschooling two of her grandchildren (reading, science, social studies, math, and art), which recently has expanded to include Clay Playtime part-time with two additional homeschoolers. Grace has moved from painting on canvas to painting on clay, producing ceramic functional pottery for clients, FVAC, and local CT craft shows. Her illustrated pottery includes animal stories inspired by her own hens and local wildlife, her favorite chicken-proof Montauk Daisies, and most recently, grandma stories, though she’s been asked not to sell them.
Make Your Mark: Expressive Clay Techniques with Grace Epstein
Instructor Artist: Grace Epstein
Date: Friday, November 8
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Location: Fisher Gallery
Level: All levels
Workshop Fee: $55 (includes all materials)
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore the art of expressing your emotions through clay. Using various tools and everyday objects, you’ll impress texture into slab clay, transforming it into a personalized work of art. After shaping your piece on a mold, you’ll apply an underglaze color, which will beautifully contrast with the recessed surfaces that remain white after bisque firing.
You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at sgraffito, an Italian technique that involves scratching through an underglaze to reveal the white clay beneath. This reverse drawing method creates striking high-contrast white lines against a colored background on leather-hard clay plates.
Once your creations are glazed and fired, they will be ready for pickup at FVAC in two weeks.
Materials Provided: Slab clay, molds, and leather-hard clay plates will be supplied for your use during the workshop.
Refreshments will be served, and the gallery will be open for your enjoyment. Cheers!
