Digging Into Why with Sean O'Connell
This is a live virtual workshop
Description
Digging Into Why: If I Could Say it in Words with Sean O’Connell
Are you looking for some approachable strategies for digging into the why of your work?
Join artist Sean O'Connell for this virtual talk where he will share insight into his creative journey, his studio practice, and how he’s integrated a lifetime's worth of influences and meaning into his pottery.
While there are lots of classes and resources available to help makers address the how of making an object, very few workshops deal with the bigger, and more interesting, question of addressing why we make objects.
Though there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to digging into the why of making work, the creative path we travel is inevitably molded by the tension between our internal perceptions and our external realities. Finding links between personal experiences, influences, and the art we create is a helpful way to bring perspective to our creative practice, and an essential part of unearthing the why behind our work as artists.
In this virtual talk, Sean will introduce the subject with a brief overview of his own studio practice that will lead into a wider look at art history, the role of influences, and contemporary expressions in ceramics and other craft mediums.
Participants will leave with multiple strategies for how to understand their unique creative influences, and an expanded perspective on their own creative work.
Live Session Date: Dec. 5th
Live Session Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm Eastern [convert to your timezone link]
Can’t make the live session? Don’t worry, you’ll have access to the recording for 90 days from the date of purchase.
Format: This virtual talk takes place over zoom. The presentation portion of the session will be approximately 45 minutes, with the remaining time left for participant questions.
Note: This is not a demonstration based workshop
Scholarships: If you are from a community that has been marginalised and denied equity, you can register for 50% off the price of the workshop. Just email Naomi to get the code! No application needed.
About Sean:
Sean O’Connell is a studio potter who is currently a Artist-In-Residence at the Penland School of Crafts. He has had an active studio practice for the last 20 years as well as professional roles in Arts Administration and Education. Notable institutions include the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Alberta College of Art & Design in Calgary, Alberta. He was also a long-term resident at the Archie Bray Foundation from 2011-2013 and the Salad Day’s Artist-in-Residence at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in 2009. He earned his MFA from the School for American Crafts/RIT and his BFA at Kansas City Art Institute. Sean exhibits his work nationally, is a regular contributor to ceramic art publications, and conducts workshops throughout the US and Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does it work?
This is a virtual workshop, simply purchase it here in the shop! After that, check your inbox for an email from my virtual platform, Naomi’s School, with a link to login to your new account and access the course. The zoom link to the live class will be in your student dashboard, along with any other course materials.
Note: if you have previously purchased workshops through my website, the new course will be added to your existing student dashboard. Simply login there to access the new course.
How do I access the recording and other course materials?
Once you register for the workshop, you’ll get all the info on how to access the course delivered right to your inbox within about 15 min. You will need to create a login password within Naomi’s e-learning platform, Thinkific. Please save that information in your browser, so that you can easily access the course materials whenever you like.
How long do I have access to this course?
Pottery Technique courses have an access time of 90 days and Professional Development courses are accessible for 1 year -both from the date of purchase. You can watch your course as much as you like during that time, and on any devices you own!
What kinds of tools do I need to take a pottery workshop?
You will be able to make everything I demonstrate using the basic pottery tools you already have on hand. So as long as you have some clay, and your standard pottery tools (wire cutter, knife, sponge, and a board to work on), you’ll be good to go. One thing you will need access to is a kiln to fire your finished work. If you want to know more about the tools I use most in my work, check out this video.
Refunds
Due to the digital nature of this product we don’t offer refunds.