News

2007

My Summer of ESSA- Dana Jones

I woke up one morning last February wondering, "Is Dolph Smith's class at ESSA already full?" Last summer, I was told his class would be a nice fit with my talents. But I knew to act fast because bookmaking, or more likely Dolph's genteel personality and exquisite works, draws a fan club.

So before coffee was poured, I logged onto esartschool.org and found the summer curriculum. As I was looking at the classes offered, I began filling in more and more first, second and third choices. I am one of those artists who dabbles in everything, so I was tempted by week after week of watercolor, found object sculpture, precious metal clay, papermaking, pottery … you get the picture. I was overloading on tempting treats of ooey-gooey, lip-smacking creative possibilities. I narrowed it down to three sessions.

Beginning Weaving on the Floor Loom with Eleanor Lux was first on my itinerary. About twenty-five years ago, I stepped into Lux Weaving Studio on White Street and walked around with my mouth hanging wide open. Since that time, I'd hoped to experience it again more fully some day. I finally got my chance, spending a week in Eleanor's studio with seven other women. Learning how to count, tie off, wind and thread yards and yards of yarn onto six looms exercises every character trait that one can muster. Still, by day three all looms were ready for weaving. And we wove those yards and yards of warp into shawls, table runners, place mats, and rugs. We even produced two group projects that were gifts to the school! By the end of the week, we had shared life stories and town history; and we felt like members of the ESSA weaving bee. The entire week inspired me to take pictures in and around the studio. I started seeing relationships in patterns in everyday objects and in weaving. I'm still eager to work on a series of weavings resulting from my inspiration.

After a quick trip home, I returned on Monday morning to begin Sculptural Needle Felting with Vickie Hardcastle. The class was smaller this week, but conversation filled our studio as Vickie taught us the literal ins and outs of needle felting. Her down-home hospitality and whimsical detailed creatures inspired more than art. Friendships were formed along with our scarves, jewelry, and 3-D characters. Vickie allowed freethinking to shape the direction of our projects. As I read her reference materials, I knew I wanted to try wet felting - a totally different process. She encouraged me and joined right in the process. As we were walking on fresh ground, together we learned new things about the fibers we were using. Additionally, I learned about beading from Vickie and the other two students in the class. Cynthia Dupps treated us to a field trip to her new studio and some quick lessons in wire wrapping. We all shared knowledge and materials to adorn and embellish our projects. Our fun culminated on Friday when Vickie presented us with certificates crowning us "certified needle felters." Our puncture-wounded fingers were worth it!

After a few weeks back home, the big finale finally arrived - Bookmaking with Dolph Smith. Was it anxiety that caused me to leave my toolbox 187 miles behind? I can't really say. But a kind Dolph Smith got me through the first day of bookmaking using his tools. After a panicked call home to a willing husband, I procured the rest of my tools by Tuesday morning. I got down to the serious business of bookmaking. Dolph's studio was quiet, yet flooded with the studious thoughts of eight people. We learned about paper - folding, tearing, cutting and sewing it. By the end of day two, we had completed a petal book and our text blocks for a second book. We all thought we'd have a chance to make a third book. But on Wednesday morning, Dolph introduced us to his world of making covers. We made book covers from sawn wood with cut outs, laminated relief, objects inserted under polycarbonate, copper pressed into forms, with carving and sculpting and even etched glass moving parts. Needless to say, we spent the next three days designing and producing our covers. We had barely finished when our 4:00 o'clock art show began Friday afternoon with two books still clamped together drying. Every day was a learning experience!

To sum up, I took much more than finished products from all of the classes I participated in at ESSA this summer -, I gained immense knowledge that I can apply in new and fascinating ways to all my art. And I was infected with a spirit of friendship and camaraderie with students, teachers and staff. I also take back to Tulsa a sense of pride of being a part of the Eureka Springs School of Art and a hope to participate more in the future.