Marcellus, Skaneateles artists to teach at Schweinfruth

By Jason Gabak
Editor

According to Marcellus based artist Karen Jean Smith and Skaneateles potter John Smolenski, resources like the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn offer essential opportunities for regional artists.

Along with giving artists places to share their work, the Schweinfruth also offers numerous educational opportunities.

In March, both Smolenski and Smith will share their talents through several workshops at the art center.

Smolenski, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro State University and a master’s in ceramics and sculpture from the School of American Crafts at the Rochester Institute of Technology, is a retired teacher, who will be offering his workshops for the third year.

“John is a fantastic teacher, highly skilled and very patient,” said Deirdre Aureden, program director at the Schweinfurth.  “With his extensive experience, he is able to adjust his teaching to all levels, and have fun in the process.”

Smolenski said these workshops offer potters and those interested in the process not only access to the tools, but access to information.

“These classes have been very well received,” Smolenski said. “We get people who come back each year and we get a mix of new people who want to learn more.”

In his workshops, which will run for six weeks beginning March 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Schweinfurth, Smolenski works to tailor his approach to the needs and interests of those in attendance.

Whether it is working with someone beginning making a simpler piece like a mug or those who are ready for more advance pieces with lids and moveable parts, Smolenski said he is interested in finding the right approach for each student.

“I like to work with the individual,” Smolenski said. “I will start with some general information, but then it is really about looking at what each person’s abilities are and what they are interested in doing and helping them achieve their goals.”

Complimenting the pottery portion, Smith will host a workshop on glazing.

Slated for March 10, Smith will spend a day exploring variety of surface treatments including water etching, color mixing, sgraffito and more.

Underglazes will be used to create controlled effects not possible with glazes applied by dipping.

In April and May, Smith will lead a two day animal building workshop.

“Someone might make a piece they are really happy with, something they are really proud of,” Smith said. “The focus is to show them how to finish the piece and have something they are really happy with.”

Workshops like this offer a unique opportunity according to Smith.

“When you are working on a piece, you might not really want to experiment,” Smith said. “In this workshop, it gives you the chance to experiment and see what you like and try new things.”

This marks Smith’s first time teaching at the Schweinfruth.

“This will be the first time Karen will be teaching at the Schweinfurth.  We are excited to have her and to expand the variety of classes we are offering the community,” Aureden said.

While it is her first time teaching at the Schweinfurth, Smith is not new to teaching.

As a retired educator, she said this gives her an opportunity to stay active with the arts.

“The Schweinfurth is a great resource,” Smith said. “I was a teacher for 33 years and I love to teach. I love to help people create and I am looking forward to these workshops.”

For more details about the classes and to register, please visit the Schweinfurth website at myartcenter.org, or call 315-255-1553. All students who take a ceramic class at the Schweinfurth have free access to the Schweinfurth’s clay studio to practice and work on projects.