Hakeme, the Oriental technique of applying white slip with a brush made of straw allowing the slip to be applied thickly, and Sgraffito, the technique of scratching through an applied slip layer to reveal the color of the body beneath, will be explored in this day-long workshop led by acclaimed clay artist Mea Rhee. The workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (with one hour break for lunch) at the Clay Studio. Cost is $150 for RiverArts members and $165 for non-members. A leather-hard slab will be provided for each participant, and participants are encouraged to bring their own leather-hard pot to decorate. All other materials will be provided.
Rhee says, “I am guided by my Korean heritage, Maryland upbringing, and graphic design education. I care deeply about functional designs, always thinking about the balance and movement of my pots in action. My work has a minimal and rustic style, meant to appeal to those who appreciate the natural world, even if they live modern or urban lifestyles.”
This beautiful plate, depicting a traditional carp figure, is an example of sgraffito by Mea Rhee. Rhee leads a workshop in this and other fine clay techniques at the RiverArts Clay Studio on August 23.
Rhee graduated from the University of Maryland in 1992, with a degree in graphic design. She spent almost twenty years working as a designer, operating my own design studio for most of that time. But in 1994 she started taking pottery classes at a local community center, and this quickly became her life’s obsession. She considers herself “self-taught” because she has no formal training in ceramics, though she cherishes the many wonderful teachers she’s had along the way. Rhee established her own pottery studio, Good Elephant Pottery, in 2002. Since then, her pots have gained a strong following in the Washington DC and Baltimore areas, and now can be found in galleries throughout the country. She has been featured in Ceramics Monthly, NICHE Magazine, and on Home and Garden Television (HGTV). In 2010, she was able to “retire” from design and devote a full-time schedule to the pottery studio. Rhee says, “I put “retire” in quotes because I now work harder than ever before. It is a dream come true and I am grateful for this every day.”
For more information and to register for this exciting workshop, please visit our website, chestertownriverarts.org, and click on Hakeme and Sgraffito Workshop under “Upcoming Classes” on the home page.
Chestertown RiverArts is a member-supported, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to engaging our community in the creation, appreciation, and support of the arts.
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