Bay School News

Teacher Update - Nan Rothwell, Ceramic Artist May 13 2020, 0 Comments

We asked our teachers what they have been doing during the quarantine

Nan was set to attend a show in Richmond in March that was to coincide with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA).  Not long after she was finished setting up the conference was cancelled and the gallery was closed.

        

 

From Nan:  I have been selling a few pots to people who saw photos of that show and wrote to ask about buying them.  It's been great!  A real relief, given that my normal outlets for selling have shut.   If anyone is interested, I am happy to send snapshots, dimensions and prices of the pots here. 

                                    

 

For more info on Nan you can visit http://www.nanrothwellpottery.com.  You will find resource information and links to several short demos.

Check out Nan's online store https://nan-rothwell-pottery.square.site/  During May Nan will be contributing 30% of online sales to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank https://www.brafb.org/

Nan is also teaching online.  Her courses can be seen here  https://www.teachinart.com/take-your-throwing-to-the-next-level.html

You can also find Nan on Facebook   facebook.com/NanRothwellPottery/

Nan's preferred email contact is nan@nanrothwellpottery.com

 


Teacher Profile - Nan Rothwell July 02 2017, 0 Comments

Nan Rothwell began teaching clay classes at the Bay School in 2015.  Her next class, Take Your Throwing To The Next Level, will be Saturday & Sunday, August 5 & 6 9:30am - 5pm.

 

 

 

Nan started making pots in England, where she studied in private studios and at the Harrow School of Art. Since 1973, she has been a studio potter in Virginia. She makes functional stoneware pottery that she sells in a variety of settings including juried exhibits, solo shows and galleries. She also teaches pottery at City Clay in Charlottesville and at multiple outside venues.  She and her son made two teaching DVD's that were published by Ceramic Arts Daily.  Last month, a new online teaching company called TeachinArt.com filmed Nan for a six-week throwing course that will be published soon. 

A few questions to Nan:

 

 What made you start teaching?

I had several generous, creative teachers when I first started potting, so I feel the need to pass the favor on.

What do you get out of teaching?

Two main things:   First, it's challenging and creative to help someone figure out how to take an idea and translate it into clay.  Second, since I am an introvert, teaching gets me out into the world and interacting with other people.  It's easy for me to just stay in the studio and work.  Teaching forces me to exercise my social side.

  

 

Tell me something people would be surprised to find out about you.

I fell in love with clay at 19, and except for a brief period when our children were young, I have been potting my entire adult life.  Recently, when we decided to sell our rural home and studio, I thought I would stop working in clay and try doing something else.  That idea lasted less than a month, and now I am in the process of setting up a smaller and more low-key pottery business in Charlottesville.  

 

 

 

 


Teacher Profile - Bobbie Skerrett March 08 2017, 0 Comments

Bobbie Skerrett has been involved with the Bay School for the past 3 years.  Her next class, Clay Relief Tiles, is on Thursdays, March 23 & 30 6pm - 9pm.

 

Bobbie attended the University of Colorado from 1969 to 1971.  After that she spent time at the Feminist Studio Workshop in Los Angeles, CA.  She also taken classes at the Penland School of Crafts in Pendland, NC.  From 1998 - 2002 Bobbie sold her work at the oldest farmers market in the country in Olde Town Alexandria.  Bobbie is currently a member of the Pottery Studio at the Bay School.

 

A few questions to Bobbie:

What made you start teaching?

 I started teaching wheel throwing because I wanted the students to see how fun it was to move the clay.

What do you get out of teaching?

There's an expression that takes place in the class room when people catch on to what they are being told and run with it.  It is inspiring to watch students discover something new and find a connection.

 Tell me something people would be surprised to find out about you.

Something people would probably be shocked to learn about me is that I do feminist art.


Teacher Profile - Doris Hackworth January 02 2017, 0 Comments

Doris Hackworth has been teaching pottery classes at the Bay School since 2014.  Her next class, Beginner Wheel Throwing, is on Saturday, Jan 28; Feb 4, 11, & 18 from 1pm - 4pm.  Register early to secure your spot!

 

Doris Hackworth discovered the joy of wheel thrown pottery in 1981 through community college ceramics classes in CA. Nearly 30 years later in 2009, she took to the wheel again and has been taking classes ever since at the Bay School, the Visual Arts Center in Richmond, Nan Rothwell Pottery in Charlottesville, The Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen, and the John C. Campbell Folk Art School in NC. Doris’ emphasis is on form and function. She loves making pots that have a job.

A few questions to Doris:

What made you start teaching?

I have always been a teacher in my heart.

 

 

 What do you get out of teaching?

I take huge satisfaction in promoting the joy of handmade pottery and being a part of adults finding a creative outlet they enjoy.

Tell me something people would be surprised to find out about you.

You might be surprised to know that I taught community college biology for a while and also worked for a language school teaching English to German speakers.