Mentoring Program
(Studio Assistant)
In exchange for assistance with the daily tasks of a working studio, Amanda provides her time, tools, and materials for the purpose of individual creative growth over the span of a semester’s time. Working in tandem with SAIC, students from the school may receive 1.5 credits for approximately 70 hours of studio work.
The ideal candidate for this program has an interest in clay and three-dimensional form and must have a strong work ethic, an eye for detail, and take pride in their work.
Responsibilities (and Opportunities):
– Studio Assistant may help in loading and unloading work from the kiln. (Studio Assistant may learn how to formulate successful firing programs for electric kilns.)
– Studio Assistant may maintain, prepare, and organize studio clay reserves for the studio. (Studio Assistant may learn how to recycle clay, cut wedge, and properly store for future usage.)
– Studio Assistant may wet-sand sculpture. (Studio Assistant may develop a finer sensitivity, both visually and tactilely, for refined surfaces.)
– Studio Assistant will help maintain healthy air quality in the studio by mopping down the floor at the end of each shift. (Studio Assistant will develop a discipline for healthy studio hygiene.)
Each day tasks in the studio will vary. The Studio Assistant will have the opportunity to be exposed to the navigating of an artistic discipline. Amanda shares generously of her experiences and what she has learned to be best practices for her studio. Studio Assistant can expect to spend one full eight-hour day a week (one hour for lunch is included in the schedule) in the studio with the hours being divided between studio tasks and personal clay work.
Mentoring Alumni
Jordan Gantos, SAIC, Spring 2024
Chloe Dalton, SAIC, Fall 2023
Craig Schmidt, SAIC, Fall 2022
Thomas McIntyre, SAIC, Summer 2022
Jiayi Hu, SAIC, Spring 2020
Jessica Johnson, SAIC, Fall 2018
“Amanda is a deep well of knowledge, serving as an excellent teacher who provided clear and concise lessons in technique. She cultivated an environment where asking questions was encouraged while also challenging me to problem-solve independently, fostering growth and self-reliance.”
– Chloe Dalton
“Last summer I was able to make two large terracotta side tables. This project pushed my technical craftsmanship and I was able to employ the new knowledge that I gained from Amanda. She guided me through the process of building these tables and the end result was work of a higher caliber than I had ever created before.”
– Thomas McIntyre