AMACO’s Diana Faris Presents Glazing Workshop at CSC

AMACO Director of Educational Outreach Diana Faris will be at Ceramic Supply Chicago on Saturday, September 14 to offer guidance and instruction in the use of glazes, an area that she says is often overlooked in ceramic education. Ceramic artists from the Chicago area will be able to spend the day learning and experimenting with this noted ceramic expert.

Faris’ thirty years of experience with clay and glazes began with an undergraduate degree in Studio Art from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA and an M.F.A. from the University of Florida (Gainesville). Her focus was on sculpting and tile making and she began her career at Pewabic Pottery in Detroit, known for its glazes and tiles. “I managed the glaze department for four years, glazing public and private commissioned projects,” she says, “and eventually followed projects from beginning to end as a Production Manager for two additional years.” She brought this experience to AMACO, where she has worked for nearly eighteen years. At AMACO, she works with distributors to ensure they have a good understanding of the glazes, along with a correct assortment of product, assists the product development team, and coordinates an extensive schedule of educational workshops throughout the United States.

At Ceramic Supply Chicago, Faris will discuss the variables that result in a successful glaze application. She says, “So many potters have never been taught how to glaze. You make a piece that you absolutely love. You don’t want to ruin it with improper glaze application.” The workshop will be a hands-on experience, utilizing AMACO’s newest colors in the Potters Choice and Celadon lines, along with some underglazes. Faris encourages participants to plan to spend the entire day – to come, to stay, and to ask questions. She will provide two small bisque test pieces, but participants are urged to bring 2-5 small bisque pieces in stoneware or porcelain (Cone 5 or 6) of their own. It will be a day of exploration and education, aimed at expanding the range of knowledge about glazes for those who participate in this special opportunity.

Diana Faris will be at Ceramic Supply Chicago on Saturday, September 14, from 10 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. She will begin her presentation at 10:30. Registration is required, but there is no cost for participation. Call (847) 425-1900 to register.