"A Crucible Classroom" Two weekends – three projects – James Maxwell, instructor

Website: http://www.gardenbythesea.org

 18220 N. Highway One, Fort Bragg, CA, Unknown

Oct. 14 & 15 and 21 & 22, at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, 18220 N. Highway 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

The idea is this: When people get together, have the freedom to choose one project from three choices. Chances are they will learn while working on their own project how another’s works by observation by conversation. The learning experience is increased if there are multiple choices. The vitality within a shared working environment is increased.

All projects involve the recipes for TUFA concrete, the material of the English 1800
formal garden sculptures, and a highly accurate detailed veneer for Garden Art. A bas-relief project can be completed in one day with refinement at a later date (outside
class). All students will leave the class with more ideas and more courage to try something new.

The other projects, more time consuming, can be completed in two weekends. Bas-relief Plaque –– Planter –– Garden Features

First project: Bas-relief in TUFA12” square with armature to hang finished piece on wall or fence. A portrait? Tufa surface contrasts with detailing veneer. Interior support by steel hardware cloth.

Second project: Planter/sculpture made around an existing 8” to 12” cube (circular or rectangular). Think: cardboard boxes/structural building tubes. Interior support with hardware cloth for all tufa surfaces.

Third project: Your choice –– a garden feature composed of your design? Build a super-structure for this sculpture with thick and thin styrofoam. Bring a drawing of “your Folly”. I will help you clarify your construction plan. A veneer covering the form? Recipes for color, suggestions for sealers.

Dates: Oct. 14 & 15 and 21 & 22 – $225 two weekends from 10AM to 4PM

Register for Class – make payment – supply list at The Gardens Store More information or questions phone 937-2297 e-mail lindabrown1109@gmailcom

Here is what you bring to class:
Bring a lunch A 1/4 inch thick board to do your work on and to transport your work back to your home. 16” X 20” up to 2 feet square. Food wrap to protect your board. A large trash bag to protect the table you will be working upon. And the following: An apron (wear clothes you can wash when you get home) Nitrile gloves palette knives, spoons of various sizes, a 2 inch wide trowel A knife that has a sharp point or a sharp nail if you choose to draw or cut into the wet Tufa.

(Between the lot of us we can test for the perfect tool. We’ll share.) Maxwell: Fingers are the direction. I’m aiming for using both hands, but the devil is in the details, so bring other inventive tools. And mark them with your name. A gallon liquid container (a top that stays tight) and one dozen eggs. This mixture will be your bonding agent for the TUFA. Your mixing bowl – I suggest the GLAD one quart food storage container as a mixing tub, or something larger if you fancy. We will be working in small batches to get a feel for your preferred texture.
I am a firm believer in superstructure so I suggest 1/2 inch steel hardware cloth for all these projects so if you can bring some for your work and to share – great. Chicken wire is only good if you use a rust protection paint before applying concrete or Tufa wet. –– Maxwell

Contact: Linda Brown phone 937-2297 lindabrown1109@gmailcom James Maxwell jasmax@mcn.org http://artistjamesmaxwell.com/RecentWork2017