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
REGISTER HERE
This November, Project Art and the Center for Figurative Studies invite you into an immersive, two-day encounter with two of contemporary ceramics’ most influential figural sculptors: Cristina Córdova 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. Limited to 20 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.
Cristina Córdova will dive into the emotive power of surface. Her figures, always quietly monumental, are brought to life through subtle, precise treatments that reveal character and evoke memory. Throughout the weekend, in her demonstrations, she peels back the layers—literally and metaphorically—on how surfaces are developed. Expect to learn from her use of materials, watch her processes and see how she explores the tension between abstraction and realism. She brings her experience as a teacher and artist to each session as she brings to life the sculpted form.
Limited to 20 participants.
DETAILS
On 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’ll show how layering, wiping, and mark-making can transform a piece—how surface becomes story.
Day 2 shifts the energy. Here, Cristina introduces 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 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 concept and process 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 1 Sergei’s process is conceptually simple but like a secret cookie recipe, there are tips and techniques to establish and produce confident results. Sergei will start with where ideas come from, how he develops them and establish different approaches based on desired size. He will explain the equipment, materials and tools for the mid size sculptures. Starting with how to set up the studio work space efficiently, throughout the day, he will reveal the ingredients for his secret cookie recipe.
2nd day – Sergei shifts 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’s 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).
TOOLS & MATERIALS
Tuition includes materials and bisque firing is included in the workshop.
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.
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.
