WHEN:
Saturday & Sunday, November 15-16, 2025, 9-4pm each day

LOCATION:
54 Main Street in Cummington, MA, 01026

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Intermediate-Advanced

TUITION:
$850

EVENT OVERVIEW

REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED, THANK YOU!

This November, Project Art and The Center for the Study of Figurative Ceramics invite you into an immersive, two-day encounter with two of contemporary ceramics most influential figural sculptors: Cristina Cordova and Sergei Isupov. Participants are invited to spend the weekend observing the two artists’ alternating sessions, learn from their interactions and participate in active conversations between artists and participants. This is a great opportunity for sculptors interested in expanding their skills and making connections with the two artists and other participants.

Each artist, distinct in vision and art practice, will lead focused, live demonstrations of their studio techniques while in dialogue with one another and the participants.

Limited to 20 participants.

DETAILS

Day 1

Cristina will begin by making simple bisque molds that lay the foundation for deeper surface exploration through test tiles. This sets the stage for a journey into surface treatments that are as much about feeling as they are about technique. With brush in hand, she will show how layering, wiping, and mark-making can transform a piece and how surface becomes story.

Sergei Isupov will demonstrate a sculpture starting with a slab cylinder and over the two days, develop character through added features. Once built, he will share concepts and processes for creating a narrative through carving, slip painting and glaze surfaces. Known for his complex surreal, psychologically charged works, Sergei’s techniques are actually simple for any single artist to use in their studio. Expect hybrid forms, evolving expressions, and spontaneous storytelling he is known for during the equally informative and entertaining demonstrations.

Day 2

Cristina will introduce the electric saggar firing process, a method that invites chance and atmosphere to play their part. In this environment, surfaces emerge with unexpected depth and variation like memory made visible. She’ll also share how to craft your own underglaze pigments, opening the door to bold, personal color that speaks with your voice.

Sergei will shift to development of character through narrative painting, symbols, clues, implied motion and emotional expression. Establishing a sequence for underglaze painting, he will explore various possibilities for painting surfaces, imply results and establish reasonable expectations. The day will focus on underglaze, wax, glaze, the firings and post firing effects. The day will include use of brushes and tools for underglaze painting, making thin lines, creating texture and color gradations.

Together, Cristina and Sergei represent two poles of contemporary figurative sculpture, her formal approach to figuration and expressive magical realism, his 3D/2D use of form and surface to express surrealist narratives. They meet in the middle: in clay, in form, in the human condition.

As with all Project Art events, this weekend is not a typical workshop demonstration – it’s a conversation that will take place between two artists and the participants who come together for a brief time to share knowledge and support one another’ss practices. Questions are welcome, lively interactions encouraged and surprising moments of discovery expected.

Each day will include a morning work session from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and an afternoon session from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM, with a delicious, locally sourced lunch served in between.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore the grounds of Project Art, including the exhibition space featuring work by both artists, explore the natural environment surrounding the renovated mill building and walking trails.

LODGING

TUITION & PAYMENT

A $100 deposit is required to hold your spot in the workshop.

Tuition for the workshop is $850 per person

Deposits and tuition are accepted via Check (paid to Project Art, 54 Main Street Cummington, MA 01026) OR Paypal (paid to info@projectart01026.com).

TOOLS & MATERIALS

This is a demonstration/lecture workshop. Tools an materials are not required.

TRAVEL

Hartford, CT (airport code BDL) and Albany, NY (airport code ALB) are the two closest regional airports. Cummington is a rural community, and we recommend participants rent a car or drive to us. There is no public transportation in the Cummington area. The closest gas station is 20 minutes away, so make sure to fill up before you arrive.

CANCELLATION POLICY

The deposit is nonrefundable. Tuition is refundable until September 1st, 2025. After September 1st, we cannot offer a refund unless we are able to enroll a replacement from the waiting list. If we are able to replace you with a participant from the waiting list, the tuition refund will be issued.

LODGING

Lodging for the workshop is available at nearby residency ATLAND.

About ATLAND

Over 40 acres of solitude tucked in the hilltowns of the western Massachusetts Berkshires — boasting warm sunrises over the distant hills, lush forest for hiking and meandering river frontage on Bronson Brook and walking distance to the Westfield River to wade and soak in the cool mountain water or fish for native trout! We have over a mile of beautiful trails that were created around the main home — a local architect designed masterpiece boasting a wonderful Asian influence  yet handcrafted from the very timberstock off the land on which it sits lending a refined rustic twist. 25 Min to Northampton and 10 min to the Berkshires! You can hike or bike to the best swimming holes around. Come escape and breathe in our cool clean mountain air 🙂

Additional lodging recommendations can be found HERE. 

CONTACT US

Please email info@projectart01026.com with any questions or for more information. To talk on the phone, please send an email with your phone number and preferred time to receive a call, and we will call you back.