Live Clay!

with Wally Bivins

Saturday, June 22
10am-3pm
at Twisp River Pottery, a rural farm 9 miles up picturesque Twisp River

In this demonstration workshop we will talk while we work. We will examine the manner in which a dialog with the material can be a path to originality and “owning” the work. We will take a look at how a limitation can also be a defining parameter that leads to creative solutions and how ideas from other disciplines can be brought into the work. Wally will demonstrate working with thrown and hand built parts and discuss discoveries made when returning to a form over time, and incorporating those discoveries into one’s work.

No experience necessary. Wally will do all the work!

Wally Bivins grew up in the Midwest, the land of Lincoln, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, with studies in psychology and philosophy. After graduating, and while working as a paraprofessional in deaf education, he took his first ceramics class. It’s true--he did not do well. Excellent mentors, and support from his wife Julie gave him the opportunity to grow into the medium of clay. A few years later he became a resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, Montana. Along the way he has worked as a circus clown, stone mason, designed interactive installations, and performed original works as a theatrical clown. Currently he is the executive director at Pottery Northwest, a non-profit educational arts organization in its 47th year, located at the Seattle Center. He also serves as the vice-president of the board of directors of the Archie Bray Foundation.

Live Clay will be held in conjunction with “Interpreting the Methow”, an exhibit opening June 8. Wally Bivins will include ceramic horse/human inspired vessels during this show. A reception and slide lecture with Wally Bivins will be held Friday June 21 at Confluence Gallery and Art Center, 7-9pm.

Accommodations for out of town participants: Methow Valley Inn or Central Reservations.