MetalClay Arts Conservatory

MetalClay Arts Conservatory's Digital Library is a focused study for the cultivation of metal clay artistry. With the Comprehensive Course Series, we'll work starting with a "Foundational Skills" project, up through a "Progressive Skills" variation, and ending finally in an "Advanced Artistry" project. Each section builds on the foundation of what was previously taught in the program, interwoven with a well rounded cache of designing skills reaching far beyond basic clay techniques. If this program were to be taught in a live workshop, it would be a five day intensive, and probably too much to retain.

Technique retention is a huge issue, and after years of travel teaching, I've found it is the most frequent problem. How many times have you been to a live workshop and found yourself chasing techniques in a notebook only to miss the demonstration all together? Couldn't make out what was being demoed between the crush of eager onlookers? Lost a technique entirely by the time you get back to your own studio? Maybe it's been impossible to get to a class or take enough days off to even attend. While nothing can replace the benefits of live interaction with an instructor, this platform has enabled me to develop a whole new way of distance learning that extends beyond some of the limitations of other workshops.

The "Big Mouth Swing Bail" featured in this project makes this pendant really versatile. It can be easily worn on pre-made beaded necklaces, chunky silk cording, kumihimo braiding, viking knit and more!

It's allowed me to leave NOTHING out, every step, every technique is now available in up close detail. Each demo video is viewable as many times as you like and shot in a first person, so you can see what it really looks like if it were YOUR hands working. The videos are typically less than 10 minutes, so even if you only have a few minutes a day to yourself, you can attend, at YOUR pace. With enrollment, you get one entire year to complete the course, that's less than 90¢ a day for complete access, including email technique support for all your metal clay questions! If you're looking for a deeper creative exploration, "Additional Excercies" or further practice oppurtunities are available in many of the steps.

"Scratch-foam® Textures and Introduction to Kinetic Movements in Metal Clay" is the first in my Comprehensive Course Series. It's comprehensive because it takes you through all the foundational skills up to advanced artistry. The program was developed to teach you a whole arsenal of techniques that you can utilize in your own studio practice, focusing on the clay character AND the metal working aspect of this medium. You'll be taken through a full range of techniques, not only working the wet and dry metal clay, but also creating custom texture plates and stencils, embedding milled metals, soldering, dimensional designing, torch firing, kiln programing, an introduction to carbon firing, folding a custom sized firing container, easy high contrast patina finishing, kinetic connections, repairing rough textures, making matching custom ear wires, and so much more. It features 48 seperate demo videos and sections, downloadable stencils and artwork, additional creative exercises woven throughout the course, over 200 pages of step by step class handouts and support PDFs (embedded with live hyperlinks so you don't ever have to wonder what that tool is or where it came from.) All of the information is easily accesable.

What is Scratch-foam®? It's a soft sided, easily customizable, texture plate material for creating an endless assortment of impressions for your metal clay designs. Don't have Scratch-foam®? Try experimenting on other styrofoam surfaces, while nothing I've tried works quite the same as Scratch-foam®, it can result in some interesting and unique textures, and may be enough for you to follow this course with. We'll begin with all the different working and texturing tools to used on Scratch-foam®, apply that on a pair of simple dangle earrings, take that to a progressive variation that turns them into unique kinetic ear ornaments, and finally make the musical "Kinetic Bell Pendant" that not only rings, but also features a bendable stem and kinetic bail.

While independent learning can sometimes be an isolating experience, MCAC new learning platform has discussion areas for each step to ask questions, share photos and videos with other students, connect with artists from all over the world, brainstorm ideas, and engage in a unique creative community.

This intensive program, taught live, over five days would cost at least $1200 in any teaching studio or school, but is now available, for a limited time, for a fraction of the cost.

Sign up, join in, but don't miss out on this new frontier of artistic growth. I hope we'll see you there.

Sincerely,

Wanaree Tanner

MetalClay Arts Conservatory was conceived and founded by internationally published, award winning artist and metal clay innovator, Wanaree Tanner, to illuminate the practical and creative processes as well as the individual‘s artistic expression. The Conservatory features both online continuing education courses on metal clay ranging from Project Workbooks to Comprehensive Courses as well as one-on-one private sessions or study programs with Wanaree at her studio located in secluded rural Illinois. The courses and programs are filled not only with technical training and skill application, but also design development and artistic styling. For more on her work and more on the Metal Clay Arts Conservatory please visit her website a www.metalclayartsconservatory.com