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What to Expect at Clay Days

/ Kids and Families

Join us for the 2019 Bunting Biennial Ceramics Weekend on February 15 and 16. This free, fun-filled weekend offers a fresh format and puts emphasis on creating. There are many exciting activities planned for guests during Clay Days, so here’s a brief rundown on what to expect.

  • Artist Talk
    February 15 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Steiner Auditorium (Ground Floor)
    We are kicking off the weekend with an Artist Talk by Joan Bankemper, a ceramicist from New York. Bankemper crafts her imaginative sculptures by using ceramics from a variety of collected molds. She transforms humble tableware by making it into something that is much more. Join us after the talk for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and time to explore the galleries.
  • Pop-Up Maker Stations
    February 16 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | BMA Main Lobby (First Floor)
    Saturday brings a day filled with art making, offering pop-up maker stations where visitors can create their own works of art. These are offered free to the public and are a great way to celebrate ceramics by getting your hands a little dirty.
    Each participant will be able to leave one ceramic piece that will be bisque fired and glaze fired and then picked up later.

    • Station #1: Mini Additive Sculptures
      Make your own sculpture inspired by the additive process Joan Bankemper uses to create her artwork. Guests will learn to create shapes using a sprig mold to attach to a vessel.
    • Station #2: Additive Ceramic Tiles
      Bankemper combines small objects to create large, elaborate sculptures. At this pop-up station, guests will create shapes using cutters to attach to a tile.
    • Station #3: Mosaic Memory Board
      Joan Bankemper creates ceramic ‘artifacts’ by assembling pieces of ceramics, stone, glass, or other materials to create 3D mosaics inspired by her memories. Each participant will make a mosaic on a small backer board and will receive a bag of sanded grout to apply to their creation at home. Don’t worry— this is the fun kind of homework!
    • Station #4: Mosaic Memory Collage
      Visitors of all ages will enjoy crafting unique and colorful paper mosaic collages.
    • Station #5: Garden Themed Tiles
      As French painter and printmaker Pierre Bonnard said, “Art will never be able to exist without nature.” We will explore the intersection of art and the great outdoors by using clay to shape natural wonders like flowers, bees, and birds by hand.
    • Station #6: Garden Themed Sculptures
      Joan Bankemper uses sustainable practices in her studio and in her garden. Be inspired by her focus on nature. Create a sculpture using objects from nature and the garden including bees, flowers, and honeycomb.
  • Ceramics at the BMA Tour
    February 16 | 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.
    Join a BMA docent on a special tour of the Museum, highlighting the BMA’s incredible collection of ceramics from around the world.
  • Guest Potter: Wade MacDonald
    February 16 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (with breaks throughout) | Oscar’s Café (First Floor)
    Local artist Wade MacDonald will demonstrate throwing techniques on a pottery wheel for visitors throughout the day. MacDonald received the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) 2018 Emerging Artist Award, which recognizes exceptional early career artists and helps promote their work internationally. We’re excited to watch Wade work!

The Bunting Biennial Ceramics Weekend is supported through the generosity of the Bunting Family.