This leather based apprenticeship will be focused on forming and surface techniques. Jaya will be exploring wet molding including hand shaping, shaping with modeling tools, building molds and using found objects as molds to make bowls, mugs, masks, and wall hangings to name a few. For surface work, she will be learning more in depth techniques for leather tooling, then diving into embossing by carving linoleum blocks to press the leather into and deepening/defining the image with modeling tools.

This ceramic-based apprenticeship will focus on handbuilding and working with colored porcelain using a unique technique called Nerikomi. Apprentice artist Jade Ruscio seeks to expand her current knowledge of mixing colorants, glazes and building forms that will integrate with the patterns that are developed. Jade looks to expand her artistic sensibilities as a visual artist, and apply these to her ceramics. Mentor Karen Orsillo is uniquely positioned to support her goals to advance her ceramic skills, as a highly regarded educator with knowledge of this specific technique. Karen and Jade will spend 100 hours of one-on-one guidance, reflection and training in Karen’s Kittery Point studio.

This ceramic-based apprenticeship will focus on apprentice artist Lydia Johnson’s goals to further build upon her technical skills, hone in on her personal vision, all while learning the ins-and-outs of running a ceramic studio and retail shop with mentor artist Marian Baker. On the technical side, she hopes to consistently produce pots in varying sizes, and dive deeper into surface decoration and glaze application techniques. Additionally, Lydia will develop her studio practice by working alongside Marian in her seasonal studio and retail shop, Islesford Pottery, located on the small remote island of Islesford (aka Little Cranberry Island). The pair will accomplish Lydia’s goals through 100 hours of one-on-one training.

This wood-based apprenticeship will focus on apprentice Daniel Klingberg’s passion for guitar building with hand tools in the style of models built by CF Martin in the 1930’s alongside mentor artist Matthew Arcara. Together they will dive deeper into the process of constructing and setting up guitars, so ultimately Daniel will be able to learn, start to finish, the process of building an acoustic guitar from selecting the wood, to shaping and carving, to assembly and final setup. Additionally, they will work on honing Daniel’s basic woodworking skills, as well as instrument repairs. The pair will accomplish this through 100 hours of one-on-one training at Matthew’s South Portland studio.

This printmaking-based apprenticeship will do a deep dive into advanced fine art letterpress printing. Apprentice artist Nicole Manganelli wants to further develop her technical printing proficiency on cylinder and platen presses, while learning more advanced printing techniques, and also becoming knowledgeable on basic press maintenance and troubleshooting the equipment. This will help Nicole to contribute to the sustainability of Pickwick as a community printshop, while allowing her to cultivate a practice that helps her to leverage the power of print to support social justice work in Maine and beyond. She will accomplish this through 100 hours of guidance with mentor artist Pilar Nadal and extensive in-studio training at Pickwick Independent Press located in Portland, Maine, directed and operated by Pilar.

This clay based apprenticeship will be based around Mucuy’s desire to be able to mix her own glazes and experiment confidently with new recipes by learning the John Reeves' method of analyzing raw materials. She also wants to build her own raku kiln and dive deeper into concepts of firing methods and processes. Other goals will focus on refining Mucuy’s throwing techniques, being able to create even larger pieces by throwing in sections and improving the line and overall harmony of her shapes.

This book-arts based apprenticeship will focus on apprentice artist Sharon Gallant’s goals to further develop her understanding in all facets of bookmaking to apply in her own classroom and beyond. Sharon has parlayed this new passion to her community incorporating arts into sciences with marked test results. In addition to learning new formats and letterpress options, Sharon hopes to create “The Book of Books” - a reference tool for future teachers wanting to use this method of creative instruction. The pair will achieve this by working one-on-one for 100 hours at Richard’s studio, and also Maine Media Book Arts Studio in Rockport.

This fiber-based apprenticeship will focus on apprentice artist Katherine Ferrier’s goals to expand her natural dyeing and spinning skills, while learning to weave on a four-harness floor loom with mentor artist, Sarah Haskell. She will accomplish this through 100 hours of guidance, reflection and training spent together with Sarah in-studio, as they delve further into their common connection of text & textiles. This will ultimately give Katherine a deeper confidence in her own voice as a fiber artist and poet.

This clay based apprenticeship will focus on learning the end to end process of tile creation. They will work on flat tiles and relief methods, adding details, layering glazes, combining textures, and how all of these elements react to the firing process and produce different outcomes. Then Kristen would like to learn how to branch out into some larger works incorporating Susan's signature relief methods and potentially a frieze, lamp, or frame with the overall goal of making work that is interesting, professional and unique. Learning the business side of Susan’s practice will also be shared throughout their time together.