SCULPTURE WORKSHOPS
With the establishment of the Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. Center for American Sculpture, Brookgreen Gardens extended its educational reach to a broader audience with workshops in sculpture and drawing under the tutelage of nationally known sculptors throughout the year. Students are attracted by the caliber of the teachers and by the opportunity to learn within the Brookgreen environment.
Email sculpture@brookgreen.org for more information.
2013 Workshops 
February 19-23 – Sculpting a Portrait That is More Than Features with Simon Kogan, $650 plus material and model fees. Sculpting a portrait is not always sculpting a head. The head is not a collection of features, but a kingdom of a new order for every portrait. It is a structure built in the only possible order for that portrait. Sculpting the portrait is a surprise. Magic! It turns mud into a gaze. The hidden into obvious. Harmony into authority. Disposition into fact. It gives a viewer the right to believe.
March 11-15 – Gesture Drawing and Sculpture with John Sisko, $650 plus material and model fees. John Sisko teaches a method for developing sculpture which is based on the idea of gesture – as in gesture drawing. The objective is to introduce a small set of very specific strategies for sculpting the figure then to use them as a framework for continued study. The broad idea is to combine gesture with blocking in a way that allows the student to work quickly while maintaining a structure, and so open avenues of complex expressions in three-dimensions. Students will work from the figure, focusing primarily on gesture drawing as both a rapid form of drawing and a component and tool in composition. The class will begin with rapid drawings and build toward more sustained drawings and one ½-life-size sculpture. It is not an objective of this course to create beautiful sculptures during the class, but to provide the student with a strategy and a framework from which to build. However, it will be possible to have a finished sculpture at the end of the five days.
April 1-5 – Modeling the Horse with Rod Zullo, $650 plus material fees. Students will spend the week modeling a horse from both life and reference material. Students will be taught to make a fast, effective armature that will give them the foundation to complete a clay model of a horse during the workshop. Rod will teach an accurate way of proporting based on his own method which he has successfully used to create award winning horse sculptures. Students can expect to complete a clay model during the week. Zullo’s methods, philosophies and concepts will also be discussed. All students are welcome, from beginner to advanced.
April 15-17 – Birds in Sculpture with Sandy Scott, $450 plus material fee. The class begins with a discussion of bird anatomy, the principles of aerodynamics, and how to achieve the illusion of movement in figures of birds. Scott will help students determine the difference between a sculpture that is technically adequate and one that has spirit and life. She will discuss the value of lost and found edges, along with the way good composition and an expressive surface convey rhythm, light, and feeling of movement. Students will learn the importance of assembling strong, meaningful shapes and how eliminating unimportant details can create the bird’s essence. Students will work from photography, drawings, taxidermy mounts, and videotapes of birds in flight, and will receive instruction in building armatures. Above all, movement, gesture, and anatomy are the focus.
May 6-10 – Modeling the Torso with Sergey Eylanbekov, $650 plus material and model fees. Students will model a female torso (about 24” height) working from a model using water-base clay. The workshop will be based on the classical academic tradition mixed with contemporary approaches to figurative sculpture. The class will focus on composition as a powerful tool of expression, development of observational skills, form and its logic, and study of the elements, structure, proportions, and anatomy of a torso. Hands-on modeling demonstration by the instructor will be an important part of the workshop. A variety of clay modeling techniques necessary for the successful execution of a realistic sculpture will be discussed and shown.
June 3-7 – Medallic Art with Eugene Daub, $650 plus materials. This workshop will cover not only instruction for modeling but for molding and casting of negative and positive plasters. Working in the plaster negative offers the artist an unique opportunity to carve letters and address details that are impossible to execute in the original clay. Students will be creating a portrait (human, animal, plant, building) from a photo/digital image of your choice. It is critical to select a photo that has enough visual information, revealing the structure and subtleties of form, to enable the student to recreate it in relief (additional information on this will be provided when you register). Letter-carving will be one of the techniques that will be covered as will how to transfer the drawing to the clay. The format will be an 8”slightly dished basin for the clay relief. It is common practice to model a medallion oversize and then reduce it. Eugene Daub will discuss all the options for reduction and will cover a wide range of relief styles and techniques, from ancient to contemporary. This class is a rare opportunity to participate in a seldom-offered workshop setting.
June 17-21 – Carving a Shallow Relief in Wood with Martha Griffin, $650 plus material and model fees. Students will carve a small shallow relief based on the human figure. The subject of the carving will be prepared from a drawing that each student will work out from the live model. Next, the drawing will be transferred using the grid system to the plank of wood; then the relief will be carved. Students can either leave the relief faceted or can sand the surface. Traditional wood finishing techniques will be discussed and demonstrated. This is a good workshop for beginning wood-carvers, however, advanced carvers are welcome.
June 24-28 – Small Reliefs, Endless Possibilities with Janice Mauro, $650 plus material and model fees. Students will sculpt several small reliefs in clay focusing on the beautiful details of the gardens, including wildlife or botanical subjects. We will make a one-piece plaster mold on each clay relief. The molds will be modified using steel plaster tools before each casting so that each finished piece is changed. We will experiment with different casting materials as well. Several methods of finishes will be taught, all to insure each piece to be unique. The finished casts may be mounted together and hung as a story board, each relief telling the story of the wonder of Brookgreen Gardens.
July 22-26 – Studying the Human Form: A Visual Approach with Alicia Ponzio, $650 plus material and model fees. Alicia Ponzio, a Florence Academy-trained sculptor, will guide students through the process of modeling a ½-life-size figure from life in traditional water-based clay, on a wire armature. The emphasis will be on accurately observing and describing the forms and rhythms of the model in the chosen pose to capture a unique likeness. Students will begin with constructing an effective block-in to describe proportion and gesture and will progress to the modeling of form and transition directly from observation. Various aspects of figure modeling will be introduced such as structure and balance, conceptualization of form and transition, composition of the figure, and surface treatment. At the end of the course, the piece can be photographed, or students may opt to cast it themselves if they have access to those facilities. Teaching methods will include brief lectures and discussions. Alicia will work alongside students, demonstrating key steps in the process and offering feedback to individual students during each class. The course is appropriate for beginning or advanced students of sculpture, as well as all levels of painters and draftsmen who are interested in studying the forms of the human body in 3 dimensions.
August 12-16 – Modeling the Female Nude with Anthony Antonios, $650 plus material and model fees. The workshop is an in-depth exploration of the female form through modeling in water-based clay. Participants will model a half-size figure (choice of standing, sitting, or reclining) on a 30-inch armature working from the same model each day. Each person will receive individual attention, including demonstrations in sculpture, and drawing, if needed.
September 9-13 – Portrait Sculpture from Life with Daniel Altshuler, $650 plus material and model fees. The workshop will include an introductory demonstration in setting up the head (using techniques taught by noted sculptors and teachers Walker Hancock and Charles Grafly). Then each student will receive individual instruction and criticism. Students will work with a head armature designed by Charles Grafly and with Miller water-based clay.
October 7-11 – Animal Anatomy with Paul Rhymer, $650 plus material fee. Participants will sculpt animals using and discussing different types of reference material for anatomy. By using skeletons, carcass casts, photographs, animal parts, and taxidermy, the students will learn to interpret reference material for a better understanding of anatomy and how it affects an animal’s shape and range of motion. Armatures will be built with an understanding of an animal’s skeletal frame. The use of additional reference material will help to “flesh out” and bring the piece to life.
October 21-25 – Sculpting, Molding, and Casting with Jack Kreutzer, $650 plus material fees.
December 2-6 – Figure Modeling: The Structured Figure with Stephen Layne, $650 plus material and model fees (including “Nights of a Thousand Candles”). Stephen Layne’s highly effective approach combines traditional academic methods with the most useful principles of design and composition. This step-by-step approach is indispensable to those who want to make great technical strides in a short amount of time. His demonstrations, lectures, and individual instruction demystify complexity and confusion with an illuminating, directed way of seeing and working. Anatomy and structure are made simple, clear, and applicable to portrait and figure sculpture. Participants will work on a 24” standing pose from life using soft oil clay or water clay and simplified drawing will be used to analyze the structure, proportion, and movement. Students will be shown how to do this to enhance their understanding of a pose. Charts, handouts, and drawings will be provided along with demonstrations of rendering, anatomy, and principles of working in an organized, orderly fashion. Plenty of individual attention will be given. This is the right course for beginners looking to gain information and for experienced students working to perfect their technique.
WORKSHOP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Registration and Payment
Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. A registration fee of $150 is required upon registration. A student is not on the class list until the fee is paid. After attending one workshop, students may receive a 10% tuition discount for attendance in subsequent workshops during the same year. Students are asked to provide a complete mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address when registering. Using American Express, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card, students may register by telephone, Mondays-Fridays, at (800) 849-1931, ext. 6027, or at (843) 235-6027, and by fax at (843) 235-6003. Checks are to be made payable to Brookgreen Gardens and can be sent to: Brookgreen Gardens, Attn: Sculpture Workshops, PO Box 3368, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. Contact sculpture@brookgreen.org for additional information. A waiting list is established once a class has filled.
Withdrawals, Cancellations and Refund Policies
Withdrawal from a workshop must be in writing and must be given at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the workshop. The registration fee will not be refunded: $50 will be kept to defray administrative costs, and $100 will be applied to a future workshop as partial registration until an additional $50 is paid for full registration. If a student withdraws during a workshop, a pro-rated tuition payment plus any fees for materials or models must be paid. The full registration fee ($150) will be kept if a student does not attend and does not provide a written notice of withdrawal by the deadline. Students will receive a full refund in the event that a workshop must be cancelled by Brookgreen Gardens.
Levels of Skill
Skill levels given in the workshop listings are approximate and are guidelines only. All workshops, including those for beginners, require students to have some familiarity with the subject matter of the class.
Supplies, Books and Additional Fees
A supply list of required materials will be sent approximately one month prior to the start of each workshop. Students may not bring their own clay to the workshop unless the instructor has specified it. If recommended, students are encouraged to obtain books prior to the workshop. Some materials for workshops are provided and some workshops require models, both for additional fees. In the event additional fees are required, they are determined at cost and divided evenly among the students.
Daily Schedule
Although each sculpture workshop begins and ends at the instructor’s discretion, the schedule is generally 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on the first day, and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on subsequent days. One hour is allowed for lunch. Students are encouraged to bring their own bag lunches or to use Brookgreen food service facilities. A refrigerator, microwave oven, coffee maker, water-cooler, and soft-drink vending machines are located at the Campbell Center.
Questions?
Robin Salmon, (800) 849-1931, ext. 6012 or (843) 235-6012 or Laura Hunnicutt, (800) 849-1931, ext .6027 or (843) 235-6027; E-mail, sculpture@brookgreen.org
