TOM TURNER PORCELAIN
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TOM TURNER
SCHOOL
OF ART POTTERY I have been at Turner Lane for about 3 years now and have created a wonderful place to live and work. The studio space came together quite well for me and for my students as well. The past couple of years have had a steep learning curve as I got used to a new life, new environment, and focused in on each students needs. I have taught all over the country, but this is a very unique situation because it is my studio and the one to one is like nothing else. You can go to whatever workshops you want, but you’ll never get as much for your time and money as you will in this situation. I think the student comments attest to that. I will guarantee that I can help you, if you apply yourself while you are here. Being able to share 47 years of Ceramic Art research and development with students is a real joy for me. What a student learns here goes home with them so they can apply it to their work forever. It doesn’t matter if they choose to work with porcelain or not, the technical and aesthetic concepts apply to all pots. The main concept is to help the student learn mental and physical skills that will help them improve their work forever. Classes have been one to three students at a time, but a maximum number will be four students as the school develops. I base my work and teaching on a philosophy of “material, process, and form”, along with attention to detail. By learning about the materials we use along with mastering the techniques to use these materials, allows us to deal with form, design, and creativity. Without control of the material, you are it’s slave. Success and progress will be dependent upon each student’s effort and concentration while at Turner Lane. My classes are about thrown pottery as I am not a caster, ram-presser, or sculptor; I am a potter. Students will work exclusively with my porcelain while here, but concepts and practices apply to any body these choose to use at home. Students have been choosing their most convenient time to take classes whether that be week days, or week ends. I am only doing three day classes now, and naturally there is more information and progress in three days and especially if you are traveling a great distance, three days makes more sense for the money invested. The more advanced the student, the more information flows and greater progress is possible. I have taught all over the country and in many ways, but this is like no other teaching, or learning. We do about 7 hour days running from 9Am until about 4PM, with a lunch break trip to Mars Hill, and it is very intense and focused. I am taking students from the beginning level on up to professional potters making their living with pots. I feel there is something to learn here for whatever level you are currently working, and for whatever your intent is. Please feel free to email me with any questions you might have concerning classes. Each student is responsible for their own transportation, lodging, and meals. There is an abundance of wonderful adventures in and around the Asheville area to visit while you are here. You can go to the following websites for that information. www.ashevillechamber.org , www.madisoncounty-nc.com, and www.visitmadisoncounty.com. I am also just 40 minutes from the world famous Penland School of Crafts, and only 20 minutes north of Asheville. If you are going from one to the other, I am only 3 miles off that route. Classes are $200 per student, per day. and is due upon arrival. Everything you need is already here, so all you need to do is show up with lots of questions and enthusiasm. I ask that each student either call or email so we can discuss your training and experience with clay and what you would like to concentrate on while here. If you are driving, please bring a few pots for me to see, and if you are flying, maybe email me a few digitals of your work. For overnight accommodations you can go to the following links. www.pondercove.com a dog friendly B&B www.choicehotels.com , type in Mars Hill, North Carolina for The Comfort Inn, or call 828-689-9000 and ask for Jody and she will give you a small discount if you tell her you are coming to Tom Turner’s School of Art Pottery. TOM TURNER If you want to
learn more than you can imagine at a very reasonable
price in a beautiful setting, try Tom Turner’s porcelain
school. Last month I spent 3 days with Mr. Turner in an
intense learning experience that has produced a quantum
leap in the quality and vitality of my work. For $200 a
day (plus the cost of a very reasonably priced hotel 10
minutes away from his Mars Hill, NC studio), Tom Turner
answered every question I could think to ask. He
cheerfully demonstrated every skill I wanted to learn.
He also showed me techniques I didn’t know I was missing
– a situation common for those of us who learn by
workshops and occasional classes. |