Turn Over a New Leaf at Odyssey’s Fall Classes

Asheville – Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts offers fall classes to fit your needs, whether you’re new to pottery, a longtime ceramic artist interested in a challenge or a parent looking to start your kids on a new, exciting art form.

“We have classes for both beginners and experts,” said managing Odyssey Director Cynthia Lee. “Students have unique opportunities to learn very specialized skills from ceramic artists like mosaic artist Pam Brewer, for beginners, try both handbuilding and throwing with Lori [Theriault], or hone skills with longtime favorite Becca Floyd.

“Parents are going to love our selection this fall, which features classes that fit their busy schedules … I think moms and dads will be excited to see Mary Ellis back. She wrote ‘Ceramics for Kids.’ And will be teaching ‘Clay for Kids.’

Beginner potters will appreciate Start with Handbuilding with Heather Knight and Try It Out: A Little of This…A Little of That 
with Lori Theriault, while continuing students can choose from Eric Knoche’s handbuilding class, 
Becca Floyd’s Surface Patterns, Wet & Dry or Joy Tanner’s Reed Handles for Wheel Thrown Pottery.

Odyssey brings tile, textile and mosaic expert Pam Brewer to Asheville for Parts & Pieces; Chaos to Order. Brewer originally began teaching because she felt frustrated as a student herself with the scarcity of mentors in the field. “I couldn’t find anyone to teach me … in this country it’s difficult to find instructors who understand the medium of mosaics.

In fact, many students bring Brewer into their homes for instruction. Some of this is due to the nature of tile work – have you ever tried to relocate a shower wall or countertop? – but much of this demand can be ascribed to the rarity of qualified mosaic artists.

“People come from as far away as Charlotte to take my classes offered at Boone,” she said.

“This is going to be a great season for Asheville-area potters and ceramic artists,” said Lee.
For more information call Odyssey at 828.285.0210, e-mail odyssey@highwaterclays.com stop by at 236 Clingman Ave. or visit Odyssey’s Web site at http://www.highwaterclays.com/odyssey/classes/fall07.html