Give the Gift of Art this Holiday Season

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holiday gift ideas penland school fashionado

THE 2020 PENLAND GALLERY GIFT GUIDE

This is snow laughing matter.
Grace them with your presents.
Gifts we think they will Fa-la-la-la-love.

And….some holiday wrapping is our gift to you. Just let us know if you would like us to wrap it and enclose a card! We suggest that December 14th could be the last day to ship and arrive in time for the holiday. Play it safe and shop early! The Penland Gallery

The Penland Gallery exhibits the work of artists affiliated with Penland School of Craft from across the country and beyond. These include current and former instructors, resident artists, and students working in contemporary craft media: books and paper, clay, drawing and painting, glass, iron, metals, photo, print and letterpress, textiles, and wood. The gallery exhibits work by an ever-changing collective of established and emerging artists making sculptural and functional objects, conceptual and narrative work – representing the creative expanse that exists at Penland School.

Penland School of Craft Announces Spring 2021 On Ground Concentration Classes

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2021 Spring Concentrations March 7 - April 30 (Scholarships available) are back! Penland School of Craft is proud to announce their return and line-up for workshops this Spring.

2021 Spring Concentrations March 7 - April 30 (Scholarships available) are back! Penland School of Craft is proud to announce their return and line-up for workshops this Spring.

”We've been waiting for this day for months now, friends—the day we can invite you back to campus for workshops!” Penland School of Craft

Penland School of Craft is thrilled to have a lineup of six accomplished instructors ready to teach, share and learn with you for eight weeks this spring:

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  • Brien Beidler - Finishing Touches: Materials, Tools, and Methods

    The “charming but completely unpretentious*” books made in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries have a unique way of harmonizing skilled craft, quirky aesthetics, and evidence of the hands that made them. With these leather bindings as our inspiration, we’ll explore the process and material details that make them so appealing while leaving room to add our own context to their structure and design. We’ll cover a range of techniques, including sewing on a frame, lacing in boards, sewing endbands, working with leather, and gold tooling with egg glair and gold leaf. We’ll place a special emphasis on finishing (applying decoration to the covered book) and making finishing tools. All levels. Code S00B

    *From a description of historic bindings in Hannah French’s Bookbinding in Early America. 

    Studio artist; teaching: Escuela de Artes y Oficios Santo Domingo (Colombia), Penland, North Bennet Street School (MA), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Alabama, University of Utah. 

    beidlermade.com
    @bhbeidler

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  • Matt Repsher - Finding Form and Surface

    This workshop will focus on developing form and surface in pots using history, environment, and personal experiences to help students develop a unique voice in clay. I’ll share the techniques I use to create elaborately patterned vessels, including wheelthrowing, handbuilding, carving, and color slip inlay. Working mostly in mid-range stoneware fired in electric kilns, students will push the boundaries of ceramic materials by experimenting with multi-layered surface treatments using colored slips, underglazes, and glazes. Projects, exercises, and conversations will stimulate exploration and growth. All levels. Code S00CA

    Studio artist; teaching: Indiana University, University of New Mexico, Penland, Pocosin Arts (NC), Arrowmont (TN), Santa Fe Clay (NM); residencies: Pocosin Arts, Penland resident artist program; collections: Boise Art Museum (ID), San Angelo Museum (TX).

    @repsherceramics

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  • Kit Paulson - The Explorer’s Notebook: Borosilicate Fieldnotes

    A notebook is a license to explore the world. In this class, we’ll explore and catalog ideas, methods, and structures in flameworked borosilicate glass. The workshop will have a strong emphasis on daily hand-skill practice, which we’ll temper with drawing, reading, demonstrations, and slide shows. Students will learn techniques in solid structural flameworking and also build a strong foundation for making hollow, blown forms. All levels. Code S00GB

    Studio artist; teaching: Pilchuck (WA), Bildwerk Frauenau (Germany), National College of Art and Design (Dublin), Pittsburgh Glass Center, Urban Glass (NYC); residencies: Rosenberg Residency at Salem State University (MA), Tacoma Museum of Glass (WA), S12 (Norway), Penland Resident Artist Program; collections: Tacoma Museum of Glass, KODE (Norway), Renwick Gallery (DC).

    kitpaulsonglass.com
    @kitpaulson


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  • Thomas Campbell - Fabrication Fundamentals

    This workshop will focus on the fundamentals of steel fabrication with an emphasis on both functional and sculptural design. We’ll begin with weekly exercises and assignments that emphasize proper fabrication technique, design, critical thinking, and problem solving. We’ll build on these exercises to establish a skill set that will support personal exploration. Daily demonstrations will include, but not be limited to, technical drawing and layout, basic sheet-forming, MIG and TIG welding, grinding and sanding, finish work, and patination. We’ll also cover shop safety and efficient work practices. Students will leave with newly acquired skills and a thorough understanding of steel fabrication. All levels. Code S00I

    Note: this workshop will not cover forging.

    Studio artist; teaching: Haystack (ME), Penland; Haystack Open Studio Residency; exhibitions: Signature Gallery (Atlanta), Blue Spiral 1 (NC), Metal Museum (Memphis), Mint Museum (Charlotte); collections: University of Arkansas at Little Rock; gallery representation: Blue Spiral 1; former Penland core fellow. 

    thomascampbellcraft.com
    @thomas_campbell



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  • David Clemons - Wear a Great Story

    Once upon a time… Whether in drama, mystery, social commentary, or personal history, stories link us to our past, teach us lessons, memorialize events and people, and look to project the future. In this workshop, guided technical and conceptual exercises will help students develop and hone their use of materials, form, iconography, and symbols to convey narratives through wearable pieces and small sculpture. Technical information will include surface embellishment, cold connections, soldering, hydraulic forming, casting, basic stonesetting, enameling, and integrating alternative materials. Bring your curiosity and willingness to explore a variety of subjects as we execute numerous pieces and live a great story during our eight weeks together. Some metalworking experience will be helpful, but this workshop is open to all levels. Code S00MA

    Studio artist; teaching: University of Arkansas, Penland, Haystack (ME), Pocosin Arts (NC), Arrowmont (TN); Oregon College of Art and Craft residency; exhibitions: Crafting Futures (NC), Wear (NC), Wearable Pewter (IL and Istanbul), Appetites and Objects (MD); collections: Yale University Art Gallery (CT), Metal Museum (Memphis), Arkansas Art Center.

    davidharperclemons.com
    @harperclemons




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  • Annie Evelyn - Furniture Sampler

    This furniture workshop will include a little bit of everything! Starting with a two-week chair project, we’ll cover machine- and hand-tool usage and the basics of joinery and design. We’ll spend one week on upholstery techniques and make a fully webbed, sprung, padded, and upholstered ottoman. Next, we’ll learn simple digital drawing using Rhino and cut shapes with the CNC machine. Then we’ll use that knowledge to make forms for bent lamination and steam bending. During the last three weeks, students will work on self-directed projects. Throughout, we’ll have fun and organize some campus events to bring people together (safely) to celebrate art. All levels. Code S00W

    Studio artist; teaching: California College of the Arts, Rhode Island School of Design, Parsons The New School of Design (NYC); exhibitions: Museum of Arts and Design (NYC), Center for Art in Wood (Philadelphia), Houston Center for Contemporary Craft; publications: Impossible Design by Agata Toromanoff, The Independent Design Guide: Innovative Products from the New Generation by Laura Houseley, American Craft.

    annieevelyn.com
    @annie_evelyn_furniture

Registration is open now on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarship applications are available through Slideroom and are due December 15, 2020.

Finally, as excited as Penland School of Craft is to open these spring workshops, they can't ignore the fact that we are still in the midst of a pandemic. They have learned a lot since the first cancelled sessions back in March, and they have made sweeping updates to campus to help us operate safely this spring.

Many aspects of 2021 Penland workshops will be altered accordingly. Before you apply, please read their COVID-19 Safety Guidelines so you will know what to expect and what will be expected of you.

FASHIONADO

Penland School of Craft: There's No Substitute for the Handmade Mug

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penland auction

Have you registered for the 35th Annual Penland Benefit Auction yet? 

It will be Penland’s first ever online auction, and also their first auction to last a full week long! Tickets are available now to join us for this virtual celebration and support Penland's ongoing mission of creativity, community, growth, and word-class craft education. Penland is offering two ticket options this year—the "party" option includes access to silent and live auction bidding, a printed auction catalog, a handmade mug like those above, and other Penland party favors to bring the festivities right to your door.

Mark your calendars for August 1-8, and register now to join us there!

Kimberly Michelle Shelton (left) and Amanda Ann Palmer at Penland with a selection of their mugs

Kimberly Michelle Shelton (left) and Amanda Ann Palmer at Penland with a selection of their mugs

A note from the Penland School of Craft: The past couple months have shown us how many things can transition to an online format, from Northlight slide nights to our Board of Trustees meeting. But we also know that there's no substitute for the presence and materiality of a handmade object, and that's why we knew without a doubt that we wanted to keep up the tradition of handmade auction mugs. This year's are an especially beautiful collection of hand-thrown, decorated, and glazed pieces. Each one—500 in all!—was designed and made by Kimberly Michelle Shelton of Dirt Dobber Wares (Atlanta, GA) with assistance from Amanda Ann Palmer (Hartland, VT).


One thing we especially love about these mugs is how they each display a unique personality while maintaining an impressive cohesion as a group—sturdy, inviting, earthy, and rich. Scrolling through a few of Kimberly's process photos is a telling window into how much thought went into these designs. We love this look at the various glazes and clay bodies she tested, as well as these close-ups of her approach to geometric patterning and glazing.

Thank you, Kimberly and Amanda! We know these mugs will add an extra special touch to auction week in August and many, many mornings to follow.

FASHIONADO

Jason Wu collaborates WILD BEAUTY Exclusive Florals

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Today, 1-800-Flowers.com®, one of the world's leading floral providers, announced it has collaborated with global design talent, Jason Wu, to release an exclusive assortment of modern and elegant bouquets. The Jason Wu for Wild Beauty™ collection, which is now available nationwide, features on-trend arrangements that embody the designer's signature aesthetic of femininity and sophistication. Behind-the-scenes content, specially designed 'thank you' notes and the ability to preview select bouquets in 3D will allow customers to have an immersive digital experience as they are introduced to the new collection. This marks Jason Wu's first collaboration with a floral and gifting brand.

"Jason Wu is one of the world's most renowned fashion designers and we are thrilled to collaborate with him on this truly original collection, which reflects his unique point of view in floral design and bouquet presentation," said Valerie Ghitelman, Vice President, Product Development and Design, 1-800-Flowers.com. "We are excited to not only share these beautifully crafted arrangements with our customers, but to engage them with distinctive content that provides insights into Jason's design influences and more."

"Playing a role in the intimate decision of what one chooses to wear each day is such an important part of what I do," said Jason Wu. "To extend this concept to the graceful details people bring into their homes is an honor. This collection with 1-800-Flowers.com is especially meaningful to me because of my lifelong love of flowers. Floral elements continuously inspire me and have been a consistent theme throughout my entire career. I'm thrilled to celebrate the beauty of flowers in this new and special way."

A Collection Influenced by Jason Wu's Design Aesthetic: Jason's design influences, such as modern femininity and refined style, are reflected throughout the entire Jason Wu for Wild Beauty collection. Chic, gathered arrangements include freshly cut flowers – such as roses, sunflowers, gerbera daisies, thistle, aster and mini calla lilies, among others – that are grown with love at select eco-friendly, sustainable farms. Each bouquet, which includes a mix of textures and florals unique to the season, arrives wrapped in white kraft paper and is nestled inside a signature gift box. Customers can also opt to order a galvanized flower pail to showcase their arrangement. The collection includes:

Bouquets from the Jason Wu for Wild Beauty collection come with a custom hangtag, which prompts recipients with a QR code to enjoy a mobile web experience. Exclusive and engaging content includes behind-the-scenes footage from Jason's Ready-To-Wear Fall 2020 New York Fashion Week Show and the Jason Wu for Wild Beauty collection photo shoot, both of which took place earlier this year. It also provides access to special 'thank you' notes whereby bouquet recipients can instantly connect with and send a digital message to the sender. Find all this at www.1800flowers.com/jasonwu-connect.

FASHIONADO

The Princess and The Platypus Foundation Presents The Princess Diana Museum

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The largest collection of Princess Diana's personal historical items in the world currently on display, online 24/7. The only Diana online museum that contains over 1,700 carefully curated iconic, personal and historical artifacts spanning Diana's lifetime from early childhood through her tragic death. Displayed in a 3D interactive environment, the artifacts depict her incredible life and reveal her enduring legacy.

Once inside the museum, a real time location map and virtual avatars will guide you through the museum in English or Spanish. An exclusive community chat and video feature will enable visitors to share experiences in real time to create a sense of belonging. In addition, over 40 exclusive interviews with Diana's friends, designers, artists and closest collaborators will give you a unique insight of one of the biggest icons in modern history. We hope this virtual journey will unite people from all around the world and inspire a desire to treat others with kindness and to help others while expecting nothing in return just as Princess Diana once did.

"With the sudden rise of COVID-19 virus forcing us to practice 'social distancing,' we are making access to Princess Diana's Museum completely free for one month. This will not only help take people's minds off of all the bad news out there but it will help them connect with each other since users can interact in the museum environment and give back in Diana's honor", Renae Plant and Livinio Stuyck founders at The Princess & The Platypus Foundation said.

The museum works perfectly with your internet broadband connection, any operating system PC/Mac/iOS/ Android on any popular desktop, laptop or tablet internet browser. Mobile phones are not supported due to the large extent of graphical elements and information rendered.

FASHIONADO

Penland School of Craft Summer Workshops

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Penland School of Craft is a magical place that I’ve written about many times before. I’ve lived there, studied there and have been an active supporter for three decades so it’s heartbreaking to share this letter from the director. Safety first, I get it. And respect their decision… Visit their website and when they reopen this Fall, consider attending. It may change your life: https://penland.org/

Dear Penland friends, 

With a good bit of sadness, I am writing to tell you that we have decided to cancel all of our summer 2020 workshops. As we learn more each day about the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that continuing to plan for workshops anytime this summer is not in the best interests of our community. 

Our workshops are based on small groups of people coming together and working in close proximity. We work with our hands, and we share information with our hands. We pass things around so everyone can examine them. We use common tools, materials, and work spaces and eat together in a common dining room. Community and sharing are the heart of Penland’s workshop education. We don’t believe that the current public health crisis will change how we teach, but taking a break right now seems like the only responsible course of action. 

We have just finished planning a series of exciting workshops for fall 2020 and spring 2021. We will announce these in the next few weeks and hope to be able to run them. In the meantime, North Carolina is under a stay-at-home order, and most of our staff are working from home. A small crew is on campus and keeping an eye on things. We are all trying to think about how we can use this time to make Penland an even stronger creative force in the future, and we trust you will be part of that future.

If you have questions about summer cancellations or future enrollment, please contact the registration office at registrar@penland.org. 

We are grateful for your interest in the special kind of education Penland offers, and we hope to see you here before too long. Stay safe, make things, wash your hands, and keep in touch.

Mia Hall, director

Penland School of Craft fashionado

FASHIONADO

BEYOND THE CATWALK BOOK LAUNCH

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Last night, at the Jennifer Balcos Gallery in Buckhead, DOTC Foundation and Fashionado founder, E. Vincent Martinez hosted the book release and signing of his photo book, Beyond The Catwalk, to a packed house.

His vision of creating editorial quality fashion images was realized by a very talented team, co-lead by Martinez’s colleague and friend, Taylor Bareford. Both worked with emerging fashion designers, photographers and professional stylists and models to bring to life a collection of photographic images, with dogs, all shot on location at Atlanta’s Goat Farm.

In the Fall of 2018, a conversation was had between the President of the Art Institute of Atlanta and fashion professor E. Vincent Martinez about creating a stylish, philanthropic event to benefit the Doggies on the Catwalk Foundation [DotC] – a 501 c3 that supports pet-based organizations.

The concept behind Beyond The Catwalk was to style and create high-fashion images using garments designed by emerging student designers and to feature dogs with professional models. Photography professor, Taylor Bareford, who was an instrumental collaborator in this project, worked closely with Martinez on all aspects of art direction and production. Bareford and Martinez share a like-minded aesthetic and sensibility which brought forth an organic and contagious synergy to the project. The shooting schedule spanned over four weeks between January and February of 2019 and involved a team of photographers, designers, stylists, pets and their owners.

Beyond The Catwalk exceeded all expectations. The images are beautiful, dramatic and engaging – not an easy feat when you consider that dogs are inherently cute and we weren’t going for “cute.” One of the educational goals of the project was to offer a real-world experience to the students by taking them out of the classroom, shooting on location and allowing them to communicate their vision with the professional team.    

The mission of the Doggies on the Catwalk Foundation (DotC) is two-fold. DotC is a 501c 3 that provides financial assistance to non-profit organizations whose mission is to enhance the lives of individuals living with disabilities and other special needs, and to those organizations who provide safety and loving homes to animals in need. In addition to supporting non-profit organizations, because Doggies on the Catwalk was created in the classroom, we are committed to providing educational assistance through the form of grants to arts education and fashion design programs. Proceeds from the sales of Beyond The Catwalk benefit the organization.

You can purchase your Beyond The Catwalk book HERE.

FASHIONADO