CREATIVE PATHWAYS WITH LESLEY MCINALLY
Creative Directions is a year-long workshop for clay and glass artists to expand their technical skills, develop critical thinking and build confidence. Participants are given the opportunity to critically examine their own work and embark on an individual project that will generate either a new body of work or will resolve current issues in their own work. The learning experience consists of eight, day long sessions over a ten-month period. The meetings are delivered with two different purposes in mind. Four of the meetings will be full day, hands-on, workshop style, presentations including demos. During these sessions, participants will have time to strengthen their skills and respond to the demos. The balance of the meetings will consist of presentations and critiques where opportunities to discuss the work and find your voice are encouraged.
The Creative Directions program is a wonderful opportunity for clay and glass artists to embark on a personal growth journey with the support and guidance of a mentor. Titled New Pathways, the program introduced me to a wonderful group of thirteen students searching for a new direction.
The selected clay artists varied quite dramatically from early to mid and late career. Each participant had their own personal project, requirements and personal goals. Some of the students were searching for new techniques, others sought inspiration to create a new body of work and fresh possibilities. Some simply needed to build on their self-confidence as a clay artist whilst gaining valuable experience in critical discourse within a group environment.
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This workshop started in September of 2019 and was greatly impacted by the pandemic. FUSION extends a big thank you to Leslie McInally without whose dedications this workshop would not have been possible.
FUSION: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association is the only not-for-profit organization
dedicated to clay and glass artists in Canada. FUSION's mission is to encourage and
promote excellence and quality in clay and glass, provide opportunities, a sense of
community and continuing educational resources for members and people interested
in clay and glass through tolerance, caring and acceptance.
FUSION creates opportunities for artists working in clay and glass through the Creative Directions program. Participants are mentored by a professional artist through a series of workshops, meetings and critiques where they expand their technical skills, develop critical thinking and build greater confidence in their work.
The culminating exhibition is the end manifestation of every participant's artistic path.