As of June 1st, 2021, Renee will serve as artist in residence of the Great River Art’s Clay Center. Her mission with this project is to train up to 3 apprentices in traditional Japanese production pottery techniques. This initial offering will be for 3 months (June, July, and August), with the potential for continuing on to a one year apprenticeship program if the apprentice and Renee agree that the position is a suitable fit in order to maintain a thriving program.

Apprentices will study at the Little Falls' Great River Art’s Ceramic Clay Center which includes a free personal studio space, materials, and firing.

Compensation, housing, and transportation will not be provided.

The right person for this position must be someone who strives to be kind, patient, hard working, flexible, open minded, diligent, and at times fastidious about cleanliness. Also, they must be willing to set aside throwing and trimming techniques that they already know in order to learn the traditional Japanese techniques.

During the initial throwing-off-the hump learning period, process rather than product will be emphasized. Therefore, it is possible that the apprentice will keep just 1 piece per day until uniformity is actualized. The apprentice is expected to train and practice diligently to master the methods taught. Once muscle memory is accomplished, progress can swiftly be made to other forms and shapes all of which the apprentice may produce as they like.

Renee will strive to nurture the apprentice to increase their knowledge and capacity to have a productive life long relationship with clay. Daily tasks will vary. Some of the jobs may include: pugging/recycling clay; making glazes; assist with product refinement; loading, firing and unloading kilns, and cleaning the Blue Note Pottery studio and kiln shed.

This position requires 8-10 hours of time per week to support both Renee's studio activities and the art organization’s community outreach programs. For this reason, apprentices will be required to attend Renee's afternoon lessons on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Apprentices study at the Little Fall’s Great River Arts Clay Center which will include a studio space, materials, tools, and firings. Work assignments may include implementing community outreach programs designed to benefit hungry and homeless people; overseeing clay center’s studio operations; teaching introductory clay classes to small groups on and off site (may receive a stipend as compensation in certain situations), and giving tours of the clay center. The clay center is located in the lower level of the building and at times some of the adjoining space is shared with other forms of artistic activities. It will be the apprentice’s responsibility to see to it that the clay center is kept clean and tidy.

Beyond the 8-10 hours of varied labor for Renee's studio and the clay center, the apprentice will be free to create their own work, and receive critiques with each firing. The apprentice will assist Renee with her clay orders over time based on their capacity and level of skill. Firings will take place both at the clay center with an electric kiln, and at her studio's 40 cubic foot sprung arch, downdraft, cone 10 reduction gas kiln.

• 8-10 hours a week contributed to studies and supporting studio activities

• Attend monthly studio tours of local potters who studied in Japan

• Participate in community clay engagement activities during Little Falls’ Music on the Mississippi outdoor events: 6/24, 7/22, 8/26

• Assist with other (1-2 times a month) community engagement activities in the region - dates yet to be determined.

• Show proof of successfully receiving a COVID vaccine

• Engage in assigned reading

• Assist with developing an online presence of finished products for sale, as well as public relations

• Aid in publicity

Contact Renee for an application!