Thursday, January 23, 2014

New work by Willy Verginer

Adesso e piu normale, adesso e meglio, adesso e guisto, lindenwood and acryl, 180 x 153cm, 2013
 I first saw Willy Verginer's work in 2012 and loved it. I recently came across some new work of his and wanted to share it here...

The dark side of the bull, lindenwood and acryl, 60 x 74 x 21, 2013
His odd combinations of figures and animals is something I really respond to. The color blocking also adds to the bizarre nature of each piece. In the past he has used bright colors, but I really love the neutral colors that this series has. The matte deep grey against the raw lindenwood is striking. 

La pel dl vent, lindenwood and acryl, 172cm, 2013

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

VALENTINE'S DAY 2014 WORKSHOPS



Photo by Mark Fiorenza
FRIDAY, FEB 14TH 7-10PM 
No plans for Vday?
Join us in our Metal Shop for plasma cutting and welding demos.  
Then, stay for pizza & beer afterwards!
Price: $60.00 per person


SATURDAY & SUNDAY FEB 15TH-16TH 
When we say we make our own valentines, we really mean it. 
Come on out for one of our two person workshops!  
*All prices are per two people and includes materials.
                                          
10:00-12:00pm     Forged Valentine                             
                               Metal Shop                                                                        
                               Instructor: Gustavo Actis                                               
                               Price: $110                                                                        

10:00-12:00pm     Plaster Valentine                             
                               Casting Shop                                                                
                               Instructor: Darla Jackson                                             
                               Price: $100                                                                        
                                   
10:00-1:00pm      Hearts of Wood                               
                              Wood Shop                                                                       
                              Instructor: Geoffrey Thompson                                  
                              Price: $125                                                                       

1:00-4:00pm       Aluminum Valentine                         
                             Metal Casting                                                                  
                             Instructor: Gustavo Actis                                              
                             Price: $110                                                                        

2:00-4:00pm       Plasma Valentine                             
                             Weld Shop                                                                        
                             Instructor: Darla Jackson                                                
                             Price: $100                                                                       


*Space is limited.  Most of the two person workshops is a small ratio to instructor. 

To Register: 

Email Programs Director 
Jenny Welsh 
PSGJennyWelsh@gmail.com 
with the following information: 

Email Subject Line: Valentine's Day Workshops

Body of email: 
Name of Workshop you're interested in signing up for.
(be sure to include the day & time of the workshop)
Name/Names of persons participating in the workshop.
Contact Phone Number 
Contact Email 
 & any questions or concerns you may have about the workshop. Our Instructors are available to answer any questions too! 

We are looking forward to meeting new people & to our first Valentine's Day Weekend  at the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym since opening! 

Photograph by Mark Fiorenza 




Wednesday, January 8, 2014

*New*January/February Workshops


Forging 101 *NEW* 



1-Day, 2hr Workshop 

Saturday, January 18th 
Session 1: 11:00-1:00pm (SOLD OUT)
Session 2:  2:00-4:00pm
Session 3:  5:00-7:00pm


Saturday, January 25th 
Session 1:12:30-2:30 (1 Spot Left) 
Session 2: 3:30-5:30
Price: $120.00

Details: 
This two hour course is an introduction to basic forging techniques and tools.  In this course students will learn how to use the anvil, hammers and the gas forge.  Students will learn how to draw a point, make a simple curve and a twist in the process of creating a decorative hook to take home.  No previous experience necessary. 

Kinetic Sculpture and Mechanics *New* 





4 Tuesdays, 7:30-10:00pm 
2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4
Instructor: Bevan Weissman
Assistant Instructor: Valerie Schaeffer
Price: $250 (includes materials)

Details:
This four-session introduction to kinetic sculpture teaches students how to make things move.  Through a combination of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on creation, we will examine the function and history of mechanisms commonly used in kinetic and interactive sculpture.  Weekly Design Challenges highlighting specific topics will be assembled into a final project.
Prerequisite:  Basic Wood shop safety.  

Aluminum Casting




















1-Day Intensive
Sunday, February 9th, 11:00-5:00pm 
Instructor: Gustavo Actis
Price: $110.00 (materials Included)

The Aluminum Casting Workshop is a 6-hour workshop where you will learn how to make a simple 2 part Greensand mold of a pattern and then how to cast the piece in aluminum. Each participant does the entire process from start to finish and will have a finished piece to take home with them at the end of class. No prior experience is necessary.


Welding 101 























3 Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00pm 
2/5, 2/12, 2/19
Instructor: Darla Jackson
Price: $250.00 (includes materials) 

3 Saturdays, 10:00-12:00pm 
1/25, 2/1, 2/8 
Instructor: TBA
Price: $250.00 (includes materials)

Details: This 3 week class covers Oxygen-Acetylene welding and cutting, MIG, TIG, and Plasma Cutter. This course is more technical than the Sculptural Metalworking Course. No previous experience necessary.


Welding 102 *NEW* 






















3 Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm
2/4, 2/11, 2/15
Instructor: Gustavo Actis
Price: $200.00 (+materials, which could vary depending on project)

Details: Welding 101 or other noted significant welding experience is a prerequisite.
This 3 week class will briefly go over the Oxygen-Acetylene welding and cutting, MIG, TIG, Plasma Cutter and various grinding and metal finishing techniques. Then, students will create a project with the instructor as a guide and as things come up be learning new techniques and problem solving.

Sculptural Metalworking




3 Thursdays 8:00-10:00pm
2/6, 2/13, 2/20 
Instructor: Bevan Weissman
Price: $200.00 (includes materials)

Details: This three-session introduction to metalworking and welding is focused on creative
exploration through steel. Students will learn plasma and oxy-acetylene cutting, MIG
welding, grinding & polishing, and other techniques while creating pieces of their own
design. Students may opt to make instructor-directed projects if they desire a more
structured class experience. No prerequisites.

TIG Basics














1 Day, 2 Hour Workshop
Dates/Times Flexible Email to Inquire (PSGJennyWelsh@gmail.com) 
Instructor: TBA
Price: $80.00

Details: This 2-hour session will teach you the basics of TIG Welding and give enough time to practice the skills needed & ask questions. Working 2 on 1 with the instructor there is a lot of time for one-on-one instruction.  No prerequisites.


& MORE COMING SOON!

If you want to sign up or have any questions about the workshops please email: 

Programs Director, Jenny Welsh 
PSGJennyWelsh@gmail.com 
(215) 870-1081

All of our instructors are available to answer more specific questions before & after signing up for workshops. Email Jenny and she will get you in contact with them. 



Monday, January 6, 2014

Looking forward in 2014


Happy New Year everyone. I have high hopes for 2014, for all of us.

For me, 2013 was what I perceive to be the most difficult year of my life. It tried me in every way possible. Some of the most terrible and most amazing things of my life happened. I came out of it with new knowledge about myself (and lots of other things) and am changing and growing from it all as quickly and as best I can. It's hard because I really want to make everyone happy (world peace anyone?) but I have been taught this past year, over and over again, that it is an impossibility. So in this New Year I am just trying to do the best I can for myself, my daughter, my art and for PSG. It is a big job to run a space such as this, so I ask for your patience in all things. But know this, every day I wake up and I fight...for the betterment of the space, for the ability for all of us to make what we need to make more easily, for myself, and for team PSG. I am only one woman, moving as fast and as best I can, and luckily I have a team of great people who really believe in this little community we've created. Nothing happens on its own, so here's to an amazing 2014 that we will build together.