Touchstone Center for Crafts

Pennsylvania’s Premier Craft School

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Nature-Themed Workshops at Touchstone

March 10, 2019 by touchstonecenterforcrafts Leave a Comment

Robert Little Scholarship 

100% Tuition Scholarship: To honor respected nature printer, Robert Little, a scholarship has been set up in his name. This scholarship is open to anyone taking an adult-level course that incorporates nature. Apply Now!

Touchstone’s 150-acre campus in the beautiful Laurel Highlands is the perfect natural setting to inspire creativity.

Choose from one of these Nature-themed Workshops:


Ceramics

​AUG 19–23 | 5-Day

Altered Elegance
with Martha Grover

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Working with porcelain on and off the wheel, Martha demonstrates how to make her signature undulating functional forms. You will create an assortment of functional forms including cups, bowls, vases, pitchers, lidded forms, and baskets.

​SEP 28–30 | 3-Day

Alternative Firing Techniques
with Bob Green

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Explore several different ceramic firing techniques: raku, burnishing with a terra sigillata slip, and naked raku– combining raku and burnishing. Participants must bring both bone-dry and bisque-fired pieces.


Glass & Basketry

​JUL 8–12 | 5-Day

Intro to Stained Glass Copper Foil Technique
with Neile Cooper

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Learn the fundamentals of creating stained glass using the copper foil technique. You will learn how to incorporate non-glass, unconventional materials like crystals, shells, or pressed flowers into your pieces.

​AUG 31–SEP 2 | 3-Day

Flameworking Glass Flora
with Erin Garmezy

Register Now

Create botanical works on the torch using borosilicate glass. You will discover basic techniques for constructing organic forms to create leaves, flowers, vines, and other organic forms.

​AUG 19–23 | 5-Day

Willow Baskets to Grow and Weave
with Jo Campbell-Amsler

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Focusing on the basic techniques used in willow basketry, you will learn everything from making basic basket shapes, rims, and handles to finishing techniques. You will design and weave 3-4 of your own rib style willow baskets in 5 days.


 Painting

JUN 8–9 | 2-Day

Plein Air Painting
with William Pfahl

Register Now

Find your own vision learn how to see colors in nature while mixing paint to match the colors you see. Bill will demonstrate what excites him – building the bones of a painting from a few color/value shapes that relate in a strong harmony.

​AUG 31–SEP 2 | 3-Day

Back to Basics
with Ron Donoughe

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This workshop reinforces the basics of landscape painting including composition, value, color, seeing shapes, and edge treatment. The workshop will also touch on the use of digital photography as an aid. Ron will be giving numerous demonstrations and plenty of individual attention.


 Drawing & Photography

​JUL 29–AUG 2 | 5-Day

Drawing Nature
with Roger Hyndman

Register Now

This workshop focuses on the beauty of the Laurel Highlands and Touchstone’s 150-acre campus, with 2 days of special access to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. Learn to record the countryside, waterfalls, organic forms, wildlife, and the human figure in a natural environment.

​SEP 7-8 | 2-Day

A Closer Look at Nature: Botanical Illustration
with Robin Menard

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Botanical illustration involves very close observation and scientifically accurate drawing to capture the habits, details, textures, and color of a plant. You will take a closer look at the common things all around us while immersed in the beauty of Touchstone’s 150-acre campus in the Laurel Highlands.

​JUN 8–9 | 2-Day

Fundamentals of Digital Photography
with Rick Szymanski

Register Now

Get your camera off AUTO mode and take manual control for better photos! You will explore Touchstone’s 150-acre campus and nearby locations in the beautiful Laurel Highlands while learning various styles and techniques such as portraiture, landscape, documentary, and abstract art, as well as computer editing techniques.


 

Filed Under: ceramics, glass, painting drawing printmaking, scholarship, special topic workshop

2019 Sculpture-based Workshops – Thad Mosley Scholarship

February 20, 2019 by touchstonecenterforcrafts Leave a Comment

The Thaddeus Mosley Scholarship 

100% Tuition Scholarship: This scholarship provides 100% tuition for any adult-level sculpture-based workshop at Touchstone Center for Crafts. Additional funds may be awarded to offset the cost of housing, meals, travel and materials fees on a case-by-case basis. This scholarship was established in honor of lifelong Touchstone instructor and friend, Thaddeus Mosley. 

Click for More Information


Interested in applying? Consider one of these 2019 sculpture-based workshops:

Blacksmithing

JUL 22–26
The Art of Welding with Glen Gardner

Register Now

This hands-on class is focused on the various skills required to join metal parts through the application of heat. Whether your interest lies in creating sculpture, metal furniture or even someday building a bicycle, this workshop will inspire confidence for building those dreams.

Read More…


AUG 19–23
Forging Sculptural Forms with Aaron DeShields

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This week-long intensive will focus on creative methods and problem solving as it relates to the art of sculptural blacksmithing. Developing artists and seasoned smiths alike are encouraged to join!

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Ceramics

JUL 22–26
The Narrative Figure with Kyle and Kelly Phelps

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Kelly and Kyle share their process from start to finish and how the use of the figure can be the perfect vehicle to talk about topics like politics, environment, race, religion, class, sexuality, gender, poverty, war, and other issues of our time.

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SEP 7-8
Making Faces with Travis Winters

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Create dramatic faces that tell a story! Travis will guide you through his technique for sculpting faces on hollow forms for sculptural or functional work.

Read More…​

Glass

AUG 12–16
Knitting with Glass with Carol Milne

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Learn to knit with glass using Carol’s signature technique! Working with strands of wax, you will knit small objects to transform into glass using the lost wax casting process. All levels are welcome, but beginners should be prepared to be challenged.

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SEP 14–16
Introduction to Structural Flameworking with Kit Paulson

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Learn the basics of borosilicate flameworking with an emphasis on strategies for building larger structures in glass. Bring grand ideas and expect to learn through lively demos, presentations, and hands-on practice.

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Special Topics

June 26-28
Bronze Casting with Rivers of Steel Arts

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Join Rivers of Steel Arts at Touchstone for a one-of-a-kind workshop in bronze casting. You will work with leading foundry artist, Ed Parrish, to build and transform your unique creations into solid bronze.

Read More… 


AUG 12–16
The Art and Craft of Metal Mesh Sculpture and ‘Flame Painting’ with Lanny Bergner

Register Now

Create sculptural constructions and basketry forms out of metal in this fun mesh-working workshop. Then, explore the fascinating world of ‘flame painting’ by using a propane torch to draw/paint on stainless steel mesh.

Read More… 

Scholarship Applications are due Mar 15

Filed Under: blacksmithing, ceramics, glass, scholarship, special topic workshop, workshops

Educators’ Retreat

February 6, 2019 by touchstonecenterforcrafts Leave a Comment

NEW IN 2019! – EDUCATORS’ RETREAT
AUG 5–9 | 5-Days (MON-FRI)

The Educators’ Retreat provides a week for professional development that will enhance an educator’s own creativity while offering rich content that can translate to the classroom. Choose from a variety of studios and delve into the processes as you explore these techniques and share your findings with other educators/artists. At the end of the week, you will have a treasure trove of unique resources as well as a new toolbox of ideas to share with your students!

Not Just For Art Teachers!

Open to anyone but designed for K-12 educators and those studying to be educators (any subject or grade). Act 48 Credits are available for PA educators, sponsored by PAEA (Pennsylvania Art Education Association). (Touchstone is happy to work with education associations from other states to make any special requirements attainable).

Educator Retreat Scholarships – NEW! 

50% – 100% Tuition Scholarships: The purpose of this scholarship is to help K-12 Educators participate in this week of programming. Various scholarships are available and open to any K-12 Educator from any district or state. PLEASE NOTE: Thanks to the generosity of the Community Foundation of Fayette County, there are ten, 100% tuition scholarships available for K-12 educators teaching in Fayette County. Touchstone has applied for financial support from several other geographic-specific foundations and we are waiting to hear how much funding of scholarships will be awarded. In the meantime, we encourage ALL EDUCATORS to apply through our general EDUCATOR RETREAT SCHOLARSHIP application process, choosing Educator Retreat workshops as your preference. Download Scholarship Application

All applications must be RECEIVED by March 15.

Please check our scholarship page for a full list of available scholarships.

EDUCATORS’ RETREAT WORKSHOPS – Choose from:

Glass

Light the Fire with Lampworking Techniques
with Joy Knepp

Light the torch of possibilities and see the magic of chemistry as we experiment with reduction glass and color combinations.

Register Now

​

Metals & Jewelry

Precious Metal Clay: From Bead to Box
with Lora Hart

Experiment with Metal Clay, a relatively new technology that transforms powder metallurgy from an industrial use to a creative art form.

Register Now

Drawing & Painting


Creative Journaling
with Roger Hyndman

Take a creative journey into journaling while you explore a variety of materials and discover the many benefits of keeping an artistic journal.

Register Now

Ceramics


Murals in Clay
with Chuck Purviance

Learn the ins-and-outs of creating murals in clay as a group project in the classroom or the surrounding community.

Register Now

​

Blacksmithing


Forged Fashion
with Ellen Durkan

Step outside your comfort zone and try something new – forge something wearable!

Register Now

For more information visit: Educators’ Retreat


Filed Under: blacksmithing, ceramics, glass, metals and jewelry, painting drawing printmaking, scholarship, workshops

Kick-Off Weekend: June 8-9

January 31, 2019 by touchstonecenterforcrafts Leave a Comment

Our First Weekend of 2019 Workshops will be Jun 8-9 and includes:

Level: Beginner
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member Plus Materials and Studio Fees


Blacksmithing

JUN 8–9 (SAT-SUN)
Beginning Blacksmithing with Andy Upright

The perfect opportunity to try your hand at forging in a fun and inclusive environment… walk away with finished pieces showcasing your new skills!

Register Now

Ceramics

JUN 8–9 (SAT-SUN)
Studio Tricks of the Trade with Dan Kuhn

Create a variety of functional and decorative objects using coiling, pinching, slab work, and wheel-throwing techniques.
 
Register Now

Metals & Jewelry

JUN 8–9 (SAT-SUN)
Form, Fire, Color with Felicia Szorad

Design a variety of textured shapes and experiment with torch firing enamel onto your creations to enhance the forms with vibrant color.
 
Register Now


Drawing & Painting

JUN 8–9 (SAT-SUN)
Plein Air Painting with William Pfahl

Find your vision and experience the enjoyment of painting our amazing world from life! 
This workshop is already filling up so…

Register Now

Special Topics

JUN 8–9 (SAT-SUN)
Fundamentals of Digital Photography with Rick Szymanski

Get your camera off AUTO mode and take manual control of your digital photos! 

Register Now


Filed Under: Uncategorized

New Scholarship Opportunity!

January 29, 2019 by touchstonecenterforcrafts Leave a Comment

Architecture and the Integrity of Craft Scholarship – NEW IN 2019! 

100% Tuition, Room, & Board for any Touchstone Workshop: The purpose of this scholarship is to introduce architectural students or recent architectural graduates to the important role craft plays in the built environment. Eligible candidates include any student who has completed at least two years in an NCARB accredited architectural program or is a recent graduate of an NCARB accredited program who is 30 years old or younger. Download Scholarship Application 

Eligibility 

  • Eligible candidates include any student who has completed at least 2 years in an NCARB accredited architectural program, or a recent graduate of an NCARB accredited program who is 30 years old or younger. 
  • To fully participate in the Touchstone experience, the scholarship recipient is required to stay on campus and participate in the full-service meal plan. 

Purpose 

The purpose of the scholarship is to introduce architectural students or recent architectural graduates to the important role craft plays in the built environment. By participating in a class of their choice at Touchstone, they will be further exposed to one aspect of the craft tradition and can develop a further understanding of the craft. In the process, they will gain a better understanding of the relationship of craft to the architectural design and building practice. While at Touchstone, they will also witness a number of other crafts being explored and will be introduced informally to how those crafts may relate to the same. 

Check out the complete list of Touchstone Scholarship Opportunities at touchstonecrafts.org/scholarships

 

Filed Under: scholarship

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Touchstone Center for Crafts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance excellence in the arts and crafts by educating and encouraging individuals to develop technical skills, good design, and innovative expression.


Touchstone Center for Crafts stands in solidarity with the Black community and condemns all acts of racism, discrimination, and senseless violence. We firmly believe that everyone has a right to dignity, respect, and equality without fear. As an organization, we commit to listen and learn and to grow. We will continue to work to empower people to use art as a means of expression, a way to build community, and a powerful voice for change.


2021 Registration Is Now Open!

Click Workshops to view offerings in each studio

NEW! Artist Residency Opportunities in 2021!

LEARN MORE


In light of the current COVID-19 concerns and need for social distancing, Touchstone’s staff is working a rotating mix of office hours and remote work until further notice. Office voicemail: 724-329-1370 will be checked daily. Staff members can be reached by email: info@touchstonecrafts.org.

Our offices and campus remain closed to the public. Please follow our social media: Facebook and Instagram, and check out our digital offerings on the Virtual Events page. Thank you for your patience as we take precautions for the health and safety of our staff and community.

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