Mold Making Workshop

These 2 workshops can be taken separately, but are complementary to each other. They are a great option for someone interested to learn how to design and print a 3D prototype and then, create a mold and slip cast it.

3D Modeling and Printing workshop hosted by Frank Melendez

This newly offered workshop at Choplet will introduce participants to methods for using digital design technologies to create ceramics. The workshop will focus on digital 3D modeling and explain how 3D models can be output as physical objects by using digital fabrication methods. Participants will learn the basics of 3D modeling and techniques for ‘sculpting’ forms digitally, which can be exported to create 3D prints in various ways. Plastic 3D prints can be used in mold-making processes for slip casting, and clay 3D prints can be fired and glazed. These methods expand and create new possibilities for designing and making ceramics by combining analog and digital processes.

The workshops is for beginners – No previous 3D modeling experience is necessary. It will be held from 12-3pm on Saturdays 24 and May 1. Tuition: $200

This workshops will introduce participants to:

• 3D modeling in Rhinoceros (no experience necessary) *

• an overview of 3D printing processes

• exporting and preparing 3D models for printing in plastic and clay**

• an overview of how to use 3D prints in plastic and clay to create ceramics

*Participants will need to bring their own laptops and have the software Rhinoceros installed. A free 90-day evaluation trial of Rhino 7 for Windows and Mac is available through the Rhino website. https://www.rhino3d.com/download

**Please note that 3D printers will not be available on site, and 3D prints in plastic or clay will need to be outsourced for additional fees. Frank can offer clay printing services and will demonstrate during the workshop how to set up and operate a clay printer. He will also provide recommendations for other printing services.

This workshop will be taught be Frank Melendez.
Instagram: @bitsandclay and @frankpmelendez

Frank Melendez is an architectural designer, educator, and researcher. He is a partner at Augmented Architectures and bioMATTERS, LLC, based in New York City and London, and teaches at the Spitzer School of Architecture, City College of New York. His practice, teaching, and research focus on the advancement of architectural design through the integration of emerging digital technologies within the built environment. This work engages topics pertaining to architectural drawing, computation, ecology, digital fabrication, bio and synthetic materials, physical computing, and robotics. Frank is the author of Drawing from the Model (Wiley, 2019) and co-author of Data, Matter, Design (Routledge, 2020). He has held academic appointments at Carnegie Mellon University and Louisiana State University, and his work has been supported through grants, fellowships, and memberships including, the New York State Council of the Arts (NYSCA) / Van Alen Institute, the MacDowell Colony, and NEW INC.

Date	Time	Instructor
Saturdays 4/24 & 5/01	12:00 – 3:00 PM	Frank Melendez
Online Registration for Classes

Registration/Cancellation Policy: $90 non-refundable deposit is required to register. Balance payment is non-refundable for cancellation provided less than 1 week before the start of the session.

Mold Making/Slip Casting Workshop

Beginner/Intermediate Level
Tuition: $350

This workshop offers an opportunity to make your own two or three piece plaster mold from an object of your choice. Instructors will demonstrate the slip casting process using an existing mold, as well as cleaning a cast piece. There will be a discussion on slip clay, recycling, firing and glazing. Instructions on how to select a piece will be sent before the workshop. No previous experience required.

Level	Date	Time	Instructor
Beginner/Intermediate	Sunday May 16	9:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Nadeige Choplet
Online Registration for Classes

Registration/Cancellation Policy: $120 non-refundable deposit is required to register. Balance payment is non-refundable for cancellation provided less than 2 weeks before the start of the session.