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Shaylise Sylvester | Episode 1084
Shaylise Sylvester is an artist who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she was born and raised. Shaylise discovered her passion for ceramics during her undergraduate studies and has been honing her skills for three years now. Shaylise is currently exploring and studying the history of ceramics, looking at historical artifacts, and finding her voice through her work. Shaylise tends to focus on wheel throwing but also enjoys the freedom of form that hand-building allows. Shaylise work is primarily functional at the moment, and she is interested in the development and history of functional pots. She also enjoys the idea of creating a functional pot that is unique and beautiful in shape. Shaylise had taught ceramics in California and now teaches at a local community studio in Fairbanks. Shaylise is currently a ceramics student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is preparing a portfolio for graduate school.
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How far in advance do you start to advertise for ceramics at the distillery?
I would say usually about a month before the class. That gives people time to see the add and then we can host another one if needed. But a month has been plenty of time.
How long does it take for the classes to fill?
Let’s see, the café one seems to fill up pretty fast. The distillery one took about two weeks.
Have you also found that the classes draw people back to the main studio also?
I have actually. There are a couple of people who are now taking a beginning wheel class after signing up for a hand building class. It introduces them to clay.
What’s the general feel that people have taking a class in a familiar place?
I’ve noticed that people really enjoy it. I have had good responses from mostly everyone who has taken the class so far. I had one lady that inhaled and sighed and said, I need to take more art classes. She really enjoyed her time.
How much would you charge for a class like this and is it different than if it was in the studio?
We charge $85 per person for a hand building mug class. With the cost of materials and how much it cost to bring the materials to Alaska, it’s pretty expensive.
What other places do you have your eye on for classes?
So I am actually part of a Jewish congregation here so I am thinking about doing some classes at the synagogue as well. I think it’s something that can happen at community centers. We actually did have a Big Brother, Big Sister event where we had a whole bunch of bigs and littles come take a clay class. That was wonderful. I think the sky is the limit.
What had this done for you personally? Envisioning it and going out and making it happen?
I think it has given me confidence in teaching alone. I have just recently started teaching as well, I have been teaching for about a year now. So I think doing these events really builds confidence. It also helps me in my own practice, I think, as well.
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Instagram: @shaylisesylvester