Animal Head Candelabras with Andréa Connell
- Details
- Location
- Class Outline:
- About The Artist
- Policies
In this immersive two-day workshop, students will be guided by artist-instructor Andréa Connell through the creation of a sculptural animal head candelabra, combining expressive form with functional design. Using hollow-building techniques, participants will learn how to construct ceramic forms that maintain structural integrity while allowing for dynamic surface exploration, and will make an exciting center piece for your room or table!
All levels welcome, though some basic handbuilding experience is recommended.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
This is a two-day workshop meeting on:
- Wednesday, July 15th, 2026: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Thursday, July 16th, 2026: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
This workshop is ideal for students interested in pushing scale, developing confidence with hollow construction, and integrating sculptural narrative into functional objects. Emphasis will be placed on problem-solving, structural awareness, and cultivating a bold, individual voice in clay.
All levels welcome, though some basic handbuilding experience is recommended
Day One: Form & Structure
We will begin by developing concepts and reference sketches, focusing on how to translate the character and anatomy of an animal into a strong sculptural presence. Demonstrations will cover Andréa’s approach to hollow construction. Students will learn how to engineer their forms to safely integrate candle arms or holders while maintaining balance and durability. By the end of the first day, each participant will have a fully constructed animal head form assembled and structurally sound.
Day Two: Refinement & Surface
The second day centers on refining form, articulating features, and exploring surface. Participants will address carving, additive detailing, and strategies for creating expressive texture that enhances the personality of the piece. Technical discussions will include drying protocols, structural reinforcement, and preparing complex forms for firing. Participants will leave with a completed greenware sculpture and a clear understanding of how to finish, fire, and glaze their work successfully.
Additional Information
- Still Life will provide cone 5 clay for each participant
- Participants should bring their favorite sculpting tools; limited communal tools are available
- Bisque firing is included in the workshop fee
- Open to all skill levels
Bio: Andréa Keys Connell (b. 1980) is an Associate Professor of Ceramics in the Department of Art at Appalachian State University. Her work has been widely recognized, featured in national and international publications such as Colossal and The New York Times. She has exhibited internationally in galleries and museums, including the Jane Hartsook Gallery in New York City and the Gaya Culture and Art Center in Goryeong, Korea. With over 20 solo exhibitions since 2009, she is represented by Blue Spiral 1 in Asheville, NC, and J Mackey Gallery in the East Hamptons. Beyond her studio practice, Andréa has extensive experience in public art commissions and collaborative projects. Her recent collaboration with Susan Alexandra in New York City was featured in Wirecutter. In addition to exhibiting her work and teaching at App State, Andréa is an accomplished educator who has led figure-sculpting workshops at renowned craft schools, including Penland, Haystack, Arrowmont, Centre d’arts Rozynski, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. She has also been invited to present as a demonstrating artist at major conferences such as NCECA, Women Working in Clay, and The Bascom’s Annual Clay Symposium.
Artist Statement: “My sculptures embody the profound presence of love, longing, humor, and grief that have shaped my life since becoming a mother. Each piece seeks to express the universal, nonverbal experience of motherhood—that tender, intimate space where the joys and sorrows of loving a child intertwine, touching every aspect of the world around me. Figures and natural elements shift between embrace and support, leaning into each other as though deeply connected. Sometimes, my pieces convey harmonious balance; other times, they seem on the edge of collapse. In my studio, a sculpture about holding exists beside one about breaking. To me, these ideas are inseparable: we hold to avoid breaking, and we break because we understand the weight of holding. I work with a gritty, earthen clay body—rich in sand, grog, and fibers. Its raw texture and earthy tone feel both strong and vulnerable. This clay endures fire, weight, and constant shaping, yet its surface reveals its essence. This material allows me to build with honesty and speed, leaving little room for refinement. I work in bursts of energy, seizing fleeting moments between life’s interruptions. The urgency of my process reflects the beautiful, imperfect messiness of motherhood itself. I reject the notion that solitude is necessary for meaningful art. My life is my practice. Motherhood has given me a shared language to explore what I value most: the ways we care for one another and how that care transforms us.”
By enrolling in a class or workshop, you are acknowledging that you have read and understand the safety instructions and liability waiver.
Cancellations made 4 or more days before the start of the class will be refunded. For cancellations made fewer than 4 full days, but more than 24 hours before the start time, a 50% refund or 50% credit toward another class or workshop will be issued. We cannot provide refunds or credits for cancellations or rescheduling requests made fewer than 24 hours before the start time of class, if you miss your class, or arrive too late to participate.
