Teaching, Website, and DNC Update
Yesterday, I finally nailed down a schedule for my after school clay class that I have decided to teach again this year. If you’ve read any of the past month’s posts, you’ll know I have been on the fence about it – so it’s a relief for me to finally make a decision. Instead of teaching twice a week like I did last school year, I have decided to teach one day a week this fall partly to help with burn out and also because my daughter has a super busy schedule this year including soccer practice twice a week, my clay class and a music class. It means less of an income, but it frees up more time for me to make my own work during school hours – which is a good compromise if you ask me.
I have also been working on my website the past few days and uploaded the current enrollment form for my after school clay class to my Teaching Schedule page, along with a gallery of children’s art work which is a sub page of the teaching page. I’d be glad to hear any feedback if you have any. Next up on my agenda is to flesh out the gallery page for my own work which still shows under construction. Also, I am not sold on the current header image and am continuing to work on the theme template I’ve settled on. I would like to have the colors of the little graphic icons and the text (titles, links, etc.) be in the same color family. I will be working on my website a little bit at a time when I have a spare moment or two and definitely don’t feel the same urgency as I did a few weeks ago after breaking my site.
- Big Blue Bear who stands 40 feet tall is seen peeking into the Convention Center in Denver
The bear is really called “I see what you mean” by Lawrence Argent
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, I pulled my daughter out of school (with her teacher’s blessing) and headed downtown to see some of the sights and sounds of the Democratic National Convention that has taken over Denver this week. I figured it is educational and who knows when we’ll ever be in a city again where either party will be holding their convention. First we traveled by light rail and went to the non partisan “American Presidential Experience” at Invesco Field. There is so much security in town right now that it was like planes, trains and automobiles just to get there. We were on foot from the light rail and ran into swat teams, secret service and all kinds of blocked streets which added quite a bit of travel time to our journey. The Presidential Experience was interesting, but it is a commercial enterprise which devalues it just a bit for me. I’m not sure I’d do it again, but my daughter enjoyed the event (especially touring through Air Force One, seeing an exact replica of the Oval Office, and seeing some of Jackie O’s Clothing) so I guess that’s what counts.
- Invesco Field is ready for Obama to speak tonight
A normal 20 minute walk from Invesco Field to downtown Denver took us an hour because of road closures and other obstacles. We arrived at our chosen lunch destination, The Market, bedraggled, hot and hungry. Luckily the food there is delish and after refueling and cooling off, we set off for Robischon Gallery to see a political exhibit as a part of “Dialog: City” during the DNC. In between, we saw some celebrities and almost literally ran into Senator Tom Daschle, and got caught up in all kinds of protest and demonstrators, which was interesting but just a little disconcerting for my daughter who sort of lives in a protective bubble (like most kids should).
After spending some time at the gallery, we headed towards the convention center where many of the caucuses are taking place. Surprisingly, we were allowed to go in and watch the caucuses after going through a security check point. We wandered around from meeting room to meeting room and eventually went to a “watch” party which sounds way more exciting than it actually is. We had intended to head on over to Civic Center Park where many of the demonstrators where camped out, but when I finally looked at my watch, it was 5:00 pm, so we decided to skip the park and catch a train back home.
Things are returning to “normal”,
~Cynthia
Deborah Woods
August 28, 2008 at 1:45 pm //
I think your page is looking good. I like the pot header better than the mountains I think you had for a while. Tells you right away what kind of place you’re at (and tells you very prettily).
ang
August 28, 2008 at 5:19 pm //
hiya, lookin good through my bleary eyes this morning, the bug is lingering…but what i can see looks great… I saw a doco on the blue bear it was a really interesting process, sounds like a huge day out, thanks for sharing
Cynthia
August 29, 2008 at 6:39 am //
Thanks for the comments, Deborah, I think I might do a random banner that includes different work.
Thanks Ang – feel better – sounds like you’re not feeling well. Thanks for the heads up to on the docu – I’m going to look for it.
Mary T.
August 29, 2008 at 7:53 am //
What a brave woman you are, Cynthia! I stayed away from downtown, (of course I usually do!) this week because of the convention. I’m so very unpolitical, it is likely unbelieveable to someone in your age group. I love the blue bear and that was fun to see. I’ve heard the police presence was something else downtown, whatever that means. Sure haven’t had any ticket writers out here! Sounds like a busy day! I bet you’re glad you had it with your daughter!
Cynthia
August 29, 2008 at 8:18 am //
Hey Mary – I would have left downtown in a heartbeat had I sensed trouble or danger because I had 2 young charges with me – my daughter and one of her best friends. But, it was a good experience for all of us to witness a bit of the action and history taking place. We were most inconvenienced by the road closures which added extra travel time, but I kept reminding the girls that walking was good exercise and things could be worse. No way was I going to try to drive downtown during the convention. I think the girls were glad they went with me and they had stories to tell their classmates the next day. While I have leaned democratic for almost every election I’ve voted in since turning 18, I’ve never been this excited about an election before in my life.
Chae
August 29, 2008 at 11:47 am //
Ah heck Cynthia
Had hoped that you had attended the speeches at the stadium and could give us a first hand account of what you saw, what it felt like to be amongst 75 thousand people, how the acoustics were on the fartherest edges of the stadium and the mood of the crowd after Obama’s speech !!!
On the TV after his speech when the fireworks display started, I immediately thought of you !!!
Haven’t gotten my studio up and running at the new house yet, but have watched every minute of the DNC !!!
Hugs
Chae
Cynthia
August 29, 2008 at 1:11 pm //
Chae – I tried and tried to get tickets – but only 40,000 tickets were allotted to Colorado residents and twice as many people applied for them. While I watched the close of convention on TV last night, I was wishing I was there. I got goosebumps just watching from home, I can’t imagine what it would have been like in person!
Heather
August 30, 2008 at 3:11 am //
I wish I could have gone to the convention with you two! That would have been a blast, I’ve never been to one either. I love the pottery banner, it let’s people know what you do, well sorta, and it’s a great shot. I love the doll you made in the post below, what a great character, you should make a move with all these crations, or at least a book, they all make my mind create fantastic stories about them. Just sending my love and good energy, looking forward as always to seeing what you are up to.
Heather
August 30, 2008 at 3:13 am //
That should read, “you should make a movie with all these creations” sorry it’s early and I have not had enough coffee.
patricia griffin
August 30, 2008 at 7:29 am //
Hi Cynthia – You’ve had a lot going on… and now you’ve been tagged! Yep, sorry to do this to you. I dreaded it when I was tagged, but it ended up being kind of fun. Hope you play along…
Read about it at:
http://www.claymousestudio.com/2008/08/ive-been-tagged.html
Watched the Obama speech on TV and thought of you. Lots of crowds and excitement. You’ve given your daughter quite a memory that she’ll recall every time there’s an election. Pretty cool.
Cynthia
August 30, 2008 at 9:46 am //
Thanks Heather – funny thing is that my eyes read “movie” and not move and didn’t notice until your second post.
I have had lots going on Patricia, but in a good way.
I’ll head on over to your blog now…
Paula Manning-Lewis
August 30, 2008 at 10:30 am //
What a cool mom you are! I would have loved to be there for the convention.
You’re website is looking great! I also had to tell you I just finished reading “I’d Rather Be in the Studio” and saw your quote!
David Norrie
November 12, 2008 at 3:59 pm //
Cynthia. I am an architectural and sculptural Blacksmith, and am in the process of creating a school to teach in. I have been teaching Blacsmithing for over 25 years as a just for fun time. I know want to take it to a different level. I was wondering if I could have a conversation with you about what I should take into consideration to make this a fabulous experience for my students. I live on a 106 year old farm in Berthoud want want to use it to the maximum. My wife has a decorative painting studio as well and we have created the Davita art farm. I would love to hear from you, if I am not imposing.
David
Cynthia
November 14, 2008 at 10:08 am //
Hi David – I took a look at your website – you make beautiful work! My husband took a black smithing weekend class when we were living in Maine and loved it. I bet he would love to take another class – black smithing seems like it’s an endangered art form now a days. He only made a fire place poker set and some hanging planter hooks. (figures we don’t have a working fireplace in our home now)
Regarding teaching, I only teach part time and children at that. Though I am going to teach my first adult class this Saturday. I have a mobile studio which is a pain – but my studio is not set up for groups. Maybe sometime in the future – we’re probably going to be moving in the near future. I have taught workshops at Anderson Ranch Arts Center and the Art Student’s League of Denver – but in their facilities.
I do have a fantasy about creating a clay workshop experience where people could stay overnight sort of like a B&B for pottery aficionados, but it’s so far out there that it is just that – a fantasy. There is one in Steamboat Springs called Laloba Clay Center http://www.lalobaranch.com/ The owners are trying to sell the property though and aren’t offering workshops at the moment. It’s a little out of my budget – but it sounds really cool and they have a guest house where visitors can stay.
I have also considered setting up a drop in pottery studio for wet clay – not a paint your own pottery studio with purchased bisque ware. I would probably look in a economically disadvantaged area of Denver where real estate would be more economic. There are a lot of people who have discovered clay who don’t have a kiln or space or money to rent studio space that would probably appreciate a studio where they could drop in and work. The tricky part of that though is not becoming a small business owner who never gets to make her own work – maybe renting out space to clay instructors to teach classes would be an alternative because I would want people to be able to work independently. I would have to think about storage, firing fees, materials (would I provide glazes – or would people have to bring their own), tools etc. Again, it’s a possible future project.
It sounds like you have a good set up in Berthoud and depending on your property size and budget, you could do some really interesting things. I think marketing your school would be the hardest part – and then laying the parameters in regards to how you want it set up. Day classes, weekend or weeklong classes. Would you offer room & board – or refer people to available options? Pricing structure? Would you invite visiting instructors or would you and your wife do the teaching? How often – or frequency of classes? Levels of instruction? Technical support after class? Books – and other learning resources you could write and sell. I think a part of being successful and creating a demand is making it a very memorable experience for your students. Especially if people are traveling to your studio from out of state – you would want to create a buzz that would excite these folks to tell their friends.
The internet would have to be part of marketing and getting the word out, along with traditional methods.
I don’t know much about black smithing or you, but if you have a solid reputation and following – you would already have a built in audience who would want to learn from you and be around you.
There is probably much more, but since I don’t do this full time, I might not be the best resource. I find teaching to be exhausting, yet also incredibly inspiring. It has made my work more solid since having to explain something or seeing what others are doing reinforces my work habits.
I will email this to you as well just in case you don’t come back…