Cape Cod, MA, is well known as an arts community. There are many galleries showing works of water colors, prints, photographs, glass art, acrylics, oils, textiles, ceramics - - - but no enamels. It was about time to introduce the people on the Cape to this ancient, exciting and seductive medium.
With the help of the Enamlist Society's grant and another one from the Marilyn Druin Scholarship Fund, we were able to begin a class at the Cape Cod Museum of Art in September. The Museum has an up and coming educational department and was eager to introduce a new art form. Five students is the minimum to make a class feasible. Only four signed up but the director said it was a “go” anyway because it was a new venture. By the time the first class started we had seven students and an eighth joined half was through. One woman had some experience in torch firing enamels, one was a metalsmith, two were high school art students and the rest were complete novices.
I was able to outfit the class with a fairly complete set of supplies -thanks to Tevel of Allcraft and Woodrow Carpenter of Thompson Enamels. They both gave us a discount and Tevel helped in selecting the most cost efficient yet adequate tools. I purchased a small used kiln and then later was able to find another used one. But we could use only one. That was our only problem - -one kiln for eight students is not enough. The museum does not have adequate wiring so we must wait for some new construction.
We have all the necessities - enamels, screens, brushes, kiln furniture, pliers, tweezers, scissors, foils, Klyr-fire, Scalex, Penny-brite etc. I had extra lumps and threads and glass beads. We have steel work stations (Allcraft), high intensity lamps (IKEA), storage shelves for the kiln (local hardware store) and a big storage cabinet donated by Home Depot. A local roofer gave me enough scrap copper to last quite a while. I brought in all my books for inspiration and directions. I made two story boards with the steps in cloisonné and stencils. I also made sample color tiles for the thirty-two transparent and opaque lead free enamels. All the comforts of a real studio!!!
The response of the students and the Museum has been overwhelming. We already have two courses scheduled for the winter and another one for the spring. In the words of one student - “This is a blast!”
We are so very grateful for the grants to bring this excitement to the Cape. I am especially pleased to have two high school students and hopefully plant the seeds for the next generation. Thank you all!
