Professional Development Spotlight: A Studio of Shared Ideas

On June 1, I arrived at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts to attend an artist's invite artists residency that I co-organized with my friend and fellow potter, Celia Feldberg. We proposed that artists would come together for two weeks under the common interests of the drawn image and clay. As an educator, this opportunity to work beside and learn from a group of talented illustrators, painters and printmakers was beneficial for teaching the Darlington students. My goal in this endeavor was to return to Darlington with new ideas for assignment themes, materials, and refresh my artistic practice to continue to inspire young artists to do the same. 

Watershed is an idyllic place situated in midcoast Maine. The residency gives artists a chance to have uninterrupted time, ample space, and media specific equipment to explore their artistic practice, try new things, and meet artists from all over the county. The eighteen artists in our cohort were incredibly generous, kind, and passionate, which made for an excellent atmosphere in the studio. This reiterated the importance of creating that type of environment for the students. I am always striving to create a space where everyone is welcome, we work as a team, and we share in the joy of making. 

During the residency, artists were invited to share their techniques and processes with the group. This was very beneficial to me when planning assignments for the coming academic year. I was able to see many demonstrations including block printing, screenprinting, sketchbook practice, watercolor painting, water etching, procreate tutorials, and bas-relief. Additionally, the conversations with the artists about their inspiration, planning, and execution of their work, has given me many new ideas for assignments. For example, Celia is prolific in her sketchbook practice. While at the residency, she documented the entire two weeks with sketches and photographs that she ultimately used to illustrate a large vessel that presented multiple vignettes of our cohorts time together. I would love to do some assignments with this structure. Perhaps having students keep a photo journal that is then used in an illustrative, narrative project that shares the student’s journey through some sort of experience that is uniquely their eyes. 

To be given a chance to make my own work and be around other deeply dedicated artists for two weeks was incredibly revitalizing as both an artist and educator. I truly feel like my cup is full as I start this new school year and can't wait to apply what I've learned to new assignments for the art students. I am so grateful that the Wood travel summer fellowship allowed me to have this opportunity!