Clay Days at the BMA

Join us for the 2019 Bunting Biennial Ceramics Weekend on February 15 and 16. This free, fun-filled weekend offers a fresh format and puts emphasis on creating. There are many exciting activities planned for guests during Clay Days, so here’s a brief rundown on what to expect.

• Artist Talk
  February 15 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Steiner Auditorium (Ground Floor)
  We are kicking off the weekend with an Artist Talk by Joan Bankemper, a ceramicist from New York. Bankemper crafts her imaginative sculptures by using ceramics from a variety of collected molds. She transforms humble tableware by making it into something that is much more. Join us after the talk for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and time to explore the galleries.
• Pop-Up Maker Stations
  February 16 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | BMA Main Lobby (First Floor)
  Saturday brings a day filled with art making, offering pop-up maker stations where visitors can create their own works of art. These are offered free to the public and are a great way to celebrate ceramics by getting your hands a little dirty.
  • Station #1: Mini Additive Sculptures
    Pinch Pots are a simple form of handmade pottery, and they have been used across cultures and time. Guests can sculpt their own Pinch Pots with sprig mold appliqués and slip trailing.
  • Station #2: Mini Additive Sculptures
    Bas Relief is a sculpture technique in which shapes are carved to stand out from the background. Design a Bas Relief Tile with pattern cut appliqués and slip trailing.
  • Station #3: Mosaics
    Mosaics are made by assembling pieces of stone, glass, or other materials to create a special work of art. Each participant will make a mosaic on a small backer board and will receive a bag of sanded grout to apply to their creation after 24 hours. Don’t worry— this type of homework is fun!
  • Station #4: Mosaics
    Visitors of all ages will enjoy crafting unique and colorful paper mosaics.
  • Station #5: The Natural World
    As French painter and printmaker Pierre Bonnard said, “Art will never be able to exist without nature.” We will explore the intersection of art and the great outdoors by using clay to shape natural wonders like flowers, bees, and birds by hand.
  • Station #6: The Natural World
    This station celebrates nature and how it inspires art. Participants will create a ceramic tile with stamped impressions of bees, honeycomb, and flowers.
• Ceramics at the BMA Tour
  February 16 | 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.
  Join a BMA docent on a special tour of the Museum, highlighting the BMA’s incredible collection of ceramics from around the world.
• Guest Potter: Wade MacDonald
  February 16 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (with breaks throughout) | Oscar’s Café (First Floor)
  Local artist Wade MacDonald will demonstrate throwing techniques on a pottery wheel for visitors throughout the day. MacDonald received the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) 2018 Emerging Artist Award, which recognizes exceptional early career artists and helps promote their work internationally. We’re excited to watch Wade work!

The Bunting Biennial Ceramics Weekend is supported through the generosity of the Bunting Family.