NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
PENLAND, NC
PERMIT # 1
P E N U A N D
U I N E
PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFTS ■ PENLAND NORTH CAROLINA 28765 - WINTER 1992
PEILAND INITIATES TWO-YEAR COMEKTRATIOY
In the fall of 1992, Penland will launch a two-
year program designed to prepare students for
full-time professional studio work in ceram
ics, glass, metals and possibly one additional
studio. The heart of this new Concentration
will be intensive studio work which will be
augmented with drawing and design, business
practices, history of crafts and other subjects
supportive to development of the craftsperson.
Here's how it will work: Students will be
reviewed through an admission process which
will determine their level. The full program
will consist of six two-month sections — fall,
winter, spring — in the two-year period.
Typically, relative beginners or those starting
over in a new medium will take the full pro
gram. Those who are at an intermediate or advanced
level may spend only one year. There will also be
opportunity for advanced students to attend one section
in order to take advantage of an instructor who is
offering a particular technique.
Instructors will be recognized professional studio artists
and/or university instructors on sabbatical who will
come for an eight-week period. The curriculum is being
planned so that students will be exposed to a full range
of techniques and approaches during the two years.
Students will work in their major studio four days a
week; all enrolled students will attend classes together
on Fridays in the additional subjects. These classes will
be taught by persons already resident in the area or
faculty from nearby universities who might come for the
weekend. Field trips to studios near Penland as well as
longer trips to museums, galleries and craft fairs will also
be part of the program.
As always at Penland, studios will be open twenty-four
hours a day so that students can work as much as they
want to. However, unlike the summer, instructors will
be producing their own work when they are not teach
Winter at Penland (once in awhile)
ing, so they will not be available through the weekends.
In each media there will be both a studio coordinator
and a studio assistant to provide continuity.
Penland's mission is to assist people to become profes
sional craftspeople. The curriculum in the two-year
program is totally geared to that end with the expecta
tion that, depending on their level when they begin,
those who complete the program will be ready to open
their own studio, go into an artist-in-residence pro
gram or an apprenticeship.
STUDENT CONCERNS
As it is now in the eight-week Concentrations, all
students will be scholarship students. In order to keep
cost as low as possible, the work done in the summer
through the work study program will be divided among
all students. There will be work rotations so that not
everyone is working in the kitchen every day. In addi
tion there will be studio assistants and core students.
Housing is currently being upgraded with new bath
rooms and other improvements. Penland recognizes
that the needs of students who will be here
through the winter in terms of living ar
rangements and recreation are somewhat
different than for two weeks in the summer.
This is a consideration in the planning.
The curriculum committee (made up of
Board members and other craft profession
als) has also considered the studio facilities.
Some changes are being made particularly
to the ceramics and glass studios in prepara
tion for the two-year program.
If students participating in the two-year
plan want to do so for college credit, this
can be arranged through Western Carolina,
East Tennessee State University or the Uni
versity of Florida at additional cost. Penland does not
want to seek accreditation as an institution because we
feel it would not serve the program well. The reason for
initiating the program in the first place is the belief that
Penland can provide a kind of educational experience
that is distinctly different. This is possible, at least in
part, because we do not have to have a permanent
faculty and there are no degree requirements for instruc
tors.
At present there is no provision for financial aid in
addition to the work-study aspect of the program. For
those opting for college credit, financial aid through the
credit-granting institution might be an option.
PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES
Throughout its history, Penland School has consis
tently provided a great experience for people coming
here for the summer sessions. While we all recognize
these two-week classes can barely scratch the surface,
there are a lot of good reasons to continue the summer
program unchanged. For many, it is really the only
CONTINUED"*