Clinton Arts Center classes starting downtown in October

The Clinton Arts Center (CAC) is ready to art up the village of Clinton with classes starting the beginning of October. Ruth Knoll, Kris Cravens, Prudy Vannier, and Jane White have their class list set and are excited to be ready to go with classes and students.The plan for the center has changed since the old Woolen Mill and Kim’s Café buildings were purchased for CAC. The building that housed Kim’s Café could not be renovated safely for all the classes planned in the building.The decision was made to demolish the building and rebuild. The inside will be modern and handicap accessible, but the outside will blend in a historic façade with the other buildings on the block.“I love the history,” said Knoll. “We are going to salvage all the stones in the basement to use in the future, and as much of the wood and material inside as possible will be repurposed in the new building.”While renovation and construction continues at 115 and 121 W. Michigan Ave., CAC has set up shop down the street at 127 W. Michigan Ave. and at Fisk Studio, two miles east of Clinton off U.S. 12.“We are trying to get as many things downtown as we can,” said Cravens, ceramics arts director.CAC has two ceramic studios. In downtown, the focus is on hand building, with tables for working and slab rollers. When the building at 115 W. Michigan is complete, the lower level will have space for throwers and eight potter’s wheels, plus a plaster work area, glaze mixing, clay reclaim and mixing.Currently, Fisk Studio has community space for potters as well as a glass studio. Community space lets artists work at Fisk Studio on their own during open hours with private storage for tools and works in progress.There are gas and electric kilns for ceramics and class work. Bailey air cleaners keep the air clean and Cinks manages wastewater to reduce water usage in the studio.CAC is always looking for ideas for new classes and new teachers for the center. Those interested are required to submit an artist statement, a personal resume, three jpeg files of recent work and a class proposal.Professor emeritus Pi Benio from Adrian College is teaching two classes at CAC this fall, “Explore Drinking Vessels” and “Slip Tile Workshop.” The other classes are taught by Cravens, Vannier, Mary Humphrey and Debra Hoffmaster.Offerings include glass fusion and slumping, bead wire wrapping, Christmas decorations and painting. A full list of classes for October, November and December is listed online.The CAC was active during the Clinton Farmers Market this summer. People had the chance to design a tile for display in the center, and the response was very positive from the community.The four women are finding their venture in Clinton evolving, and are getting good at going in whatever direction art takes them. Whatever happens they are just excited to bring art to Clinton.“We didn’t have glasswork in mind when we started,” Cravens said. “Anything can happen. It’s just fun.”Clinton Arts Center hours are Thursday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., as well as during class sessions and by appointments. Information and class registration is online at www.clintonartscenter.org. CAC can be reached at 456.5145 or info@clintonartscenter.org.

Tecumseh Herald

 

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