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Artists Association of Nantucket
ART CLASSES EVENTS

Course Description

Have you ever wanted to sculpt an animal, be it a pet, something in the wild, or even something imaginary? Unlock your creativity as you explore the art of bringing creatures to life in clay. Instructor, Rika Petrova Powers will teach you how to build an animal sculpture from scratch using handbuilding techniques to create a hollow three-dimensional figure using slab building, manipulating, adding and subtracting clay. You’ll learn techniques for sculpting realistic textures like feathers, fur, and scales, as well as how to approach stylization.

Participants are encouraged to choose an animal of their choice and it is recommended that you bring along photos and/or drawings as visual references to work from.

This class will combine demos, hands-on practice, and plenty of room for experimentation to help you develop new skills and techniques. Whether you’re new to ceramics or looking to refine your craft, this class is designed to inspire and challenge you.

OPEN STUDIO TIME Additional studio hours are available to adult students who are registered for this program.

AAN is able to provide scholarships/tuition aid through the Wellness Through the Arts Program. This program is made possible through funding from the Town of Nantucket Human Services Department. For questions or assistance please contact Elizabeth Buccino, Director of Education

Cancellation Policy

AAN depends upon student tuition to continue to offer classes and workshops. Due to our commitment to small class sizes and the hands-on nature of art education, we are greatly impacted by cancellations. Nevertheless, we do understand that plans change. If you need to cancel your reservation for a class or workshop, please note our cancellation/refund policy here and let us know as soon as possible.

Materials

All materials included in tuition.

Ceramic Animal Sculpture, 18+

Rika Petrova-Powers

I was born in Bulgaria and visited Nantucket in the summer of 2005, fell in love and made it my home. I started taking classes at the AAN and discovered the joy of working with clay. Today I specialize in hand- building, primarily focusing on slab building techniques. By drawing inspiration and embracing nature's beauty of marine life, I experiment with animal forms to create unique ceramic pieces that often gravitate towards the darker aspects of spirits- merging the organic with the ethereal world and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface. My engineering background helps me push the boundaries of the medium, building hollow, structurally sound sculptures without wire support. I became Artist Association member in 2023 and received the AAN Liz Shaeffler Sculpture/ 3D Award that same year. My work can be found at the Sustainable Nantucket Artisan's Market, Sylvia Antiques and all AAN Galleries.
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