John Sisko teaches a method for developing sculpture which is based on the idea of gesture — as in gesture drawing. The objective is to introduce a small set of very specific strategies for sculpting the figure that can be used as a framework for continued study. The workshop will take place at Sisko Gallery on August 9 - 13th, from approximatly 9-4pm and is capped at 10 people.

The broad idea is to combine gesture with blocking in a way that allows the student to work quickly while maintaining a structure, opening avenues of complex expressions in three-dimensions. Students will work from the figure, focusing primarily on gesture drawing as both a rapid form of drawing and a tool in composition. The workshop will begin with rapid drawings and build toward more sustained drawings, finishing with a ½-life-size clay sculpture. It is not an objective of this course to create beautiful complete sculptures during the class, but to provide the student with a strategy and framework that the student can build upon. However, while not a focus, it will be possible to have a finished sculpture at the end of the five days.

John Sisko is a Fellow of the National Sculpture Society and chairs the editorial board of Sculpture Review magazine. Prior to his election to the NSS, he was awarded the Society’s annual Alex J. Ettl Grant for a distinguished body of work by a non-member artist. His work is in many public and corporate collections including that of Brookgreen Gardens, Bellingham Market Square, King County Library, Seattle University and the Woodland Park Zoo. He has taught at Seattle University, Brookgreen Gardens and the Seattle Academy of Fine Art and is represented in galleries in Alexandria, VA, San Francisco, CA and Santa Fe, NM as well as in his own Seattle gallery.

The cost of the class is $750 and that includes the model cost, clay and armatures. A $200 deposit is required to reserve your spot.

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