Program Overview
While the availability of early learning opportunities throughout the world have given makers a solid foundation on which to build their metal clay skills and understanding of the material, there have been few programs that are artistically stimulating and celebrate the effort of those who want to pursue a higher level of personal excellence.
With that in mind, the members of the AMCAW’s Advanced Studies team – Patrice Baker, Barbara Becker Simon, and Annemarie Klappe, led by Lora Hart – began to envision a platform that would engage and support the metal clay community. Coming right on the heels of AMCAW’s own beginnings, the goal was to design a hands-on program that was appealing to relative beginners and experts alike.
Supported and funded by the Alliance of Metal Clay Artists Worldwide (AMCAW) the program is brand neutral, personally challenging, and allows participants to create with an abundance of self-expression.
The Program
The Mastery Modules is not based on a typical classroom model. Instead, it enables participants to be self-sufficient as they do their own research, wander the web to find helpful resources, and discover new methods of making that they might not otherwise have explored.
While the Mastery Modules welcomes makers of all levels, it’s not for absolute novices. It’s geared towards those who have worked with metal clay and feel comfortable with all its’ possibilities and quirks.
The Format
28 challenges are gathered into four modules that graduate in skill level from the foundational skills every metal clay artist must master, to more stimulating and provocative designs. The program culminates with a final Cornerstone Collection which requires makers to call upon their previous achievements to express their own artistic voice.
You’ll have up to nine months to complete the seven challenges in each of the modules. At that point you’ll post them to our offices to be forwarded to experts for Evaluation. When your Challenge projects have been successfully evaluated, you’ll be sent a Certificate of Accomplishment and an invitation to submit photos of your work for inclusion in the Mastery Modules online gallery.
Which Program Is Right for You?
Unregistered
$0
FREE!
- Open to everyone
- Unregistered Self-study
- Self-paced
- Assessments
- Certificate of Achievement
- Public recognition
- Chance to be featured in our gallery
- Mentor help
- Seven private mentor sessions
Self-Study
$500
Per Module/Cycle
- Work independently
- Self-directed
- Assessments and feedback from two established experts
- Certificate of Achievement
- Public recognition
- Chance to be featured in our gallery
- Mentor help
- Seven private mentor sessions
Guided Program
$650
Per Module
- Seven private mentor sessions
- Choose your mentor
- Self-directed
- Assessments and feedback from two established experts
- Certificate of Achievement
- Public recognition
- Chance to be featured in our gallery
More details below on the three ways to take part in the Mastery Modules.
Free! (Unregistered) – If your goal is to challenge yourself to elevate your creative practice but you aren’t really interested in getting an evaluation of your work, or you’re not sure that this program is right for your skill level and want to test it out first, un-registered participation might be right for you. This choice won’t be accompanied by any of the benefits that come with the registered options, but we hope you’ll benefit from the experience in many other ways.
Lower Cost (Registered Self-Study) – As a registered independent study participant, you’ll work totally on your own and at your own pace. Independent participants can proceed in two ways: (1) Complete one full module at a time, or (2) register for Any Seven to finish a ‘cycle’ by working on any challenges you choose. Each time you register for the Any Seven option, you’ll submit a collection of seven new challenges.
Higher Cost (Registered Guided) – The final option is to work through any of the full modules with the guidance of a personal mentor during seven one-on-one Zoom meetings and with the support of your peers in a private Facebook group. This level will also receive expert evaluations and a Certificate of Accomplishment when all seven challenges in a full module have been completed and successfully evaluated.