Open Studies Course Registration

"In this course, students will learn a variety of natural dyeing processes including both Korean, Asian traditional methods and contemporary methods. Students will build relationships with plants and learn more about various cultures and philosophies that are connected to nature, incarnation, and spiritual journeys with plant matters. Students will learn to enjoy the meditative and sustainable process of natural color development, cultural exchange, and interacting/observing the beauty of microorganisms from plant matter. Activities in the class will center around making and caring for a naturally fermented indigo vat as a community.This course offers a comparative study of how different cultures use similar materials for very different processes. Students will practice various traditional processes that span both dip dyeing and direct application. Persimmon, Gardenia, Madder, Safflower, and local plant dyes will additionally be covered. Students will apply historical research to their findings. As a final, each student will develop a body of textile art and two natural dye color chart books."

"In this exciting 11 week course we will learn to create functional ceramic forms using hand-building techniques. This includes learning the fundamentals of three-dimensional design in addition to fundamental clay techniques of slab construction, coil building, and pinching. We’re going to use these techniques to create challenging and exciting projects that can fulfill many functions from planters and pitchers to baskets and bowls. We will dive into color and texture, as we learn to create surface decoration and apply slips and glazes to our hand-built pottery. Along the way, we will discuss ancient and contemporary approaches to making and decorating our functional forms."