Visiting Artist Workshop: Telling a Story Through Soft-Slab and Figure with Janathel Shaw

Do you have a love for story telling or are you curious about the message that inspired a favorite work of art? Join artist Janathel Shaw for a one-day (7 hours) workshop creating figure sculptures inspired by stories that pique curiosity, are imaginative, and inspire discussion. The workshop focuses on building community. Participants should come prepared with ideas. Bring a journal or sketchbook with sketches, notes, poetry, or a novel that has inspired you. We will develop forms using soft-slab, layering, and the pinch method. There will be a short break to sit outside and further develop ideas through sketches or journaling. Most of the time will be spent creating your piece. If you are happy with your sculpture, you may leave it at the studio to be bisque-fired after it dries. You will be contacted when it is ready for pickup. The workshop is open to beginners and those with intermediate experience.

Tools to bring:

Your sketchbook and throwing or handbuilding tools that you like and are accustomed to using (fettling knife or other small knife, plastic/metal scraper, sponges, ribs, surform tools, serrated ribs, etc).

There will be an hour break for lunch. Feel free to bring your own lunch or visit one of the many restaurants within walking distance.   

If you are curious about Janathel Shaw’s workshop but haven’t decided whether or not to sign up you may consider attending her Virtual Artist Talk. This will take place on Tuesday, March 31, from 1:30-2:00 pm. 

About the Instructor

Janathel Shaw is a ceramic sculptor, a pencil portrait artist and educator. She was born in Fort Pierce, Florida and moved to Washington DC as a child. She attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts High School. Later she earned an Associates of Arts degree from Prince Georges Community College, a Bachelors of Fine Arts and a Masters of Fine Art from George Washington University. Janathel Shaw is a member of Touchstone Gallery in DC; a member of the Black Artists of DC, and NCECA (National Council on the Education of Ceramic Arts). She has exhibited at Northern Clay Center in MN, Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento CA, the D’Amour Museum in Springfield, MA, the McLean Project for the Arts, VA; Washington Sculptor’s Group, Joan Hisaoka Gallery, WDC; the Cosmos Club, WDC, The Society for Contemporary Art, Pittsburgh, the Manchester Craftsman Guild, Pittsburgh, Pepco Edison Gallery, WDC, Artist and Makers Galleries, Rockville, MD, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore MD , the Jazz Museum, Kansas City MO, and Montpelier Arts Gallery to name a few.Ms. Shaw has also been cited or published in the following: Black American Ceramic Artists, donald clark and Chotsani Dean, Contemporary Confrontational Ceramics, Judith Schwartz; East City Arts, the Washington Post, Ceramic Review, and Ceramics Monthly.