Tony Ferguson Current Works Available

The Anagama wood fire class will allow students to create functional hand made pottery or non-functional sculptural works. Students will have the opportunity to fire the works in the Anagama wood kiln built and owned by the instructor. Anagama refers to the "tunnel" kilns built by the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese. It is currently becoming the most popular kiln to learn to fire and fire works in because of the surface variation the kiln imparts to the work. This course will provide an extraordinary opportunity for beginning to advanced students to learn about the Anagama wood fire aesthetic, high fire glazes, pottery and sculpture. Single firing will be addressed but not the central focus.

Beginning students will learn how to make cups, bowls, possibly plates and other items of choice. Check wiOpen Studio & Class Instruction are Mondays through Thursdays 5:30 – 8:00 pm+ (to be set based on interest and need). The Raku Class is 8 weeks long and centers around decorative pottery or sculpture. This is not a production class. but rather a class in technical and creative development.

**Anagama--13 weeks (17 sessions including Anagama wood firing) $TBA (beg), $TBA (intermed.), $TBA (advanced) Please inquire. Anagama students receive 1 block of space in the wood kiln, additional space can be purchased. Anagama students may also Raku if they desire. The firing involves going to Osceola, WI for the weekend (unless other arrangements can be made for your work) and camping on the land or staying in a hotel. We will arrive on Friday and fire the kiln off thru Sunday. Plan on 2 nights stay. This firing process and over all experience is work intensive but extremely rewarding when we open the kiln and you see the fruits of your hard work. As they say, it is like Christmas.

**Raku--8 weeks, $TBA includes 25# of clay, additional clay in 25# increments can be purchased for $TBA--this includes the additional bisquing, glazes, and kiln space. (see description below about Raku) We will be taking the portable Raku kilns outside the studio and firing on the pavement in the back. Raku is also a very enjoyable experience as you will take part in helping fire the works while they are removed glowing red hot from the kiln and put in the reduction can--lots of flame, smoke and fun.

If you choose the Raku option, you course will be 8 weeks. If you choose the Anagama option, your course will be 14 weeks.

If you are an individual who would like to bring your work to the firing (firing workshop), please inquire. If you are flying in from out of town, the Minneapolis airport is 50 minutes from the kiln site in Osceola, Wisconsin. Osceola is situated on the Lower St. Croix Rive Valley, 20 minutes from such artists as Warren McKenzie, Jeff Oestrich, Linda Christianson, a slew of Minneapolis and St. Paul Artists, and many many more artists within an hours drive known regionally and nationally.

The Art Space Clay Studio

Located at Art Space, 315 N. Lake Ave. on the 2^nd floor, the Art Space Clay Studio was a cooperative creation by various coop members. To find the studio, enter Lake Ave entrances. Ring 0021 to ring Tony and Anna Ferguson for entry into the building (you can also enter from the back parking lot until 5:00 p.m.) and/or ring the door bell on the upper right side of blue door (after you’ve entered and reached the 2^nd floor) by the gallery to ring the studio. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before class starts.

The studio is currently equipped with 2 electric wheels, a pug mill, and table space for hand building/sculpture. Art work is biscuit in an electric kiln. After biscuit, work will be laid out on table or shelving to be glazed. Once work is glazed, we will fire outside in the Raku kilns. Some dates may be designated as firing dates: TBA. Wood fired work may be single fired. Class sizes are limited due to space and the desire of the instructor to give all students adequate time.

Students are expected to help in all aspects of maintaining a clean and healthy studio, some loading and firing the kilns, as well as making glazes--this is to learn more fully an appreciation of the entire process and develop a competent knowledge base. Students will explore the many facets of the Japanese/American tradition of Wood fired and or Raku pottery and sculpture in this class. You will learn about origin of Wood fire, Raku and how American artists have taken these firing process to different levels of expression as you create, glaze and help fire your own art works. Topics such as wood fire, kiln design, and aesthetics will also be discussed. The class will adventure on 1 or 2 fieldtrips to local pottery studios or workshops to meet other clay artists and see their aesthetic and art work.

To Register, Call 218-727-6339 or email please see Contact/Pricing