Leah Aegerter

In this foundational paper-making workshop, students transform pulp into one-of-a-kind cast-paper sculptures. Beginning with dry abaca pulp, participants learn to reconstitute, beat, dye, and cast sheets using a traditional mold and deckle. Abaca paper, with its long fibers and impressive wet strength, is ideal for sculptural manipulation. Students mold wet sheets onto objects brought from home, found in the studio, or discovered in the environment. Sewing and gluing techniques are used to combine dried paper forms into cohesive sculptural creations. By the end of the week, students gain a versatile set of paper-making and sculptural skills that can be adapted to any studio environment.

In this foundational paper-making workshop, students transform pulp into unique cast-paper sculptures. Starting with dry abaca pulp, we dive into the process of reconstituting, blending, dying, and casting sheets with a traditional mold and deckle. Abaca paper is characterized by long fibers with impressive wet strength, making it ideal for manipulation. We mold the wet sheets onto objects from home, around the studio, or in the environment. Sewing and gluing aid in combining dried paper objects into small-scale sculptural creations.

Calling all young inventors and creators! In this fun and imaginative workshop, kids dive into the world of toy-making and storytelling through hands-on art projects. Each day brings a new creative challenge as students build, paint, sculpt, and design their own one-of-a-kind toys and games. Participants will construct and decorate spinning tops using pre-sawed wooden parts, design and build mini puppet theaters and create characters to perform with. Craft imaginative creatures and figures using fabric, felt, cardboard, and clay, create handmade board games and interactive toys from recycled materials, explore basic woodworking, painting, sculpture, and design techniques, develop storytelling skills through puppet shows and imaginative play. This workshop encourages curiosity, collaboration, and creativity. Kids will not only take home a collection of unique, handmade toys—they'll also leave with new artistic skills and a sense of accomplishment. No previous experience is necessary—just bring your imagination!

In this foundational paper-making workshop, students transform pulp into unique cast-paper sculptures. Starting with dry abaca pulp, we dive into the process of reconstituting, beating, dying, and casting sheets with a traditional mold and deckle. Abaca paper is characterized by long fibers with impressive wet strength, making it ideal for manipulation. We mold the wet sheets onto objects from home, around the studio, or in the environment. Sewing and gluing aids in combining dried paper objects into sculptural creations.

Join us for a week of experimentation and pulpy play as we explore the possibilities of paper! In this workshop, we investigate all of the different forms this everyday material can take. Projects range from making our own recycled paper, to papier mâché, to casting paper pulp to create unique objects and textures. As we learn how to work with paper, we learn about where different paper fibers come from and how they have been used across cultures and traditions. Students end the week with a plethora of sculptural paper creations!

This workshop explores the role of 3-D printing technology in the context of traditional lost-wax casting of bronze and aluminum. Starting with 3-D scanning and basic 3-D modeling techniques in Rhino 3-D, students learn to build files that take advantage of the characteristics of both 3-D printing and metal casting. Objects are outputted on the FDM 3-D printers in PLA plastic, dipped in ceramic shell, and directly burnt out in the kiln in preparation for metal. We discuss the tensions between technology and tradition, and how artists maintain a human element in their final work.

Nurture a love of creative exploration through technology and handcrafted objects. This workshop delves into 3-D printing technologies as an artistic tool where students playfully examine the border between the digital and the physical worlds. Three-dimensional scans of hand-built clay objects become a common form as various computer-modeling programs and techniques are introduced. Furniture design, architecture and character-modeling are among the topics presented through Tinkercad and Sculptris. The open nature of the medium combined with a focus on real-world application gives each student lots of opportunities to explore their own ideas. The end of the course is celebrated with a group exhibition.

This workshop is an exploration in ceramics and digital fabrication using 3-D printing of clay vessels. Students design and prepare files in 3-D modeling softwares PotterDraw and Rhino, and learn to output their files to the 3-D Potterbots. In addition to software, demonstrations cover machine operation and basic hand-building techniques to combine forms. Students create a portfolio of glazed, functional 3-D-printed vessels.

The archives are where memories are stored and history is made, but how does one redefine the archive? This workshop investigates the major shift of archiving through analog and digital processes. Drawing from memory, personal narratives, emotions and perceptions are used to manipulate ideas and data into new objects and map a new history. Using both traditional woodworking processes and innovative digital fabrication techniques, students reconstruct and deconstruct archives transforming them into objects of origin with a meaning, purpose and fragmented identity.

Anderson Ranch’s Facilitated Studio Practice approach provides artists the opportunity to work on independent projects while receiving regular one-on-one mentoring and critique sessions with Anderson Ranch artistic staff and interns. Each participant receives an assigned studio space, orientation and access to equipment, as well as five hours of weekly technical guidance in the Ranch’s state-of-the-art facilities. This program affords artists the experience enjoyed by national and international artists who access our state-of-the-art studios. Participants may expand their practices, take artistic risks, try new media or complete works for exhibition. Applicants must submit project proposals or portfolios for approval. A limited number of participants will be accepted and rigorous health and safety standards, as well as social distancing requirements, must be followed. *Studios are open 24 hours a day and on weekends for students enrolled in multiple weeks, with limited use of equipment due to safety requirements. Evening monitoring hours are Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7 – 9 PM. Facilitated Studio Practice winter sessions run January 3-21 and participants may register for one, two or all three weeks. Cost is $1,000 per week.  Private dorm rooms are available at Anderson Ranch for one, two or three weeks for an additional fee; please inquire for details and availability. Contact Liz Ferrill to apply: [email protected]  

Nurture a love of creative exploration in this fast-paced workshop! Delving into 3-D printing technologies as a tool and art-making process, students playfully examine the physical/digital divide. 3-D scans of hand-built clay objects become a common form as various computer-modeling programs and techniques are introduced. Furniture design, architecture and character modeling are among the topics presented through Tinkercad and Sculptris. The open nature of the medium combined with a focus on real-world application gives each student lots of opportunities to explore their own ideas. At the end of the course, we celebrate with a group show.

Nurture a love of creative exploration in this fast-paced workshop! Delving into 3-D printing technologies as a tool and art-making process, students playfully examine the physical/digital divide. 3-D scans of hand-built clay objects become a common form as various computer-modeling programs and techniques are introduced. Furniture design, architecture and character modeling are among the topics presented through Tinkercad and Sculptris. The open nature of the medium combined with a focus on real-world application gives each student lots of opportunities to explore their own ideas. At the end of the course, we celebrate with a group show.

This fun and technically challenging course for teens expands digital fabrication skills using the CNC. Students gain traction in Rhinoceros 3D modeling software and basic woodworking techniques in order to mill objects of their own design on a three-axis CNC router. Workflows cover toolpathing and g-code generation, material set up, machine operation and wood finishing. In completing projects that are both sculptural and functional, students explore the benefits of the CNC across disciplines and learn to use it as a step in the process of art making.

Anderson Ranch’s Facilitated Studio Practice approach provides artists the opportunity to work on independent projects while receiving regular one-on-one mentoring and critique sessions with Anderson Ranch artistic staff. Each participant receives an assigned studio space, orientation and access to equipment, as well as five hours of weekly technical guidance in the Ranch’s state-of-the-art facilities. This non-residential program allows local artists the experience enjoyed by national and international artists who travel to Snowmass Village from all over the world. Participants may expand their practices, take artistic risks, try new media or complete works for exhibition. Studio access is available from 9AM to 5PM, Monday – Friday; daily wellness checks and social distancing are required until further notice. Applicants must submit project proposals or portfolios for approval. A limited number of participants will be accepted and rigorous health and safety standards as well as social distancing requirements must be followed. Contact Liz Ferrill, Artistic Director of Painting and Printmaking for more information, [email protected].