Tuition fee : € 400 + V.A.T ( 4 days )
Accommodation fee : 35 € / day ( Room for 3-4 )
Arrival : May 21
Departure : May 26
Deposit** : At the application
Remainder : April 22
For more than ten years, James Thurman has been exploring a process of using epoxy resin to create a composite material made of layered paper, now called “Thurmanite.” The material can be carved and shaped like plastic or wood. As material is removed, patterns similar to woodgrain are created. The material is very useful for creating colorful and lightweight jewelry. In the workshop, students will learn how to make their own “Thurmanite” and use it in creating finished jewelry pieces.
Lesson Plan:
Tuesday, 22 May: Thurmanite Introduction
AM: Students will watch process video, see finished pieces, and use provided Thurmanite blank to shape into a “stone” for jewelry
PM: James will demonstrate basic epoxy lamination. Students will laminated materials they brought and continue working on their “stones.”
Wednesday, 23 May: Advanced Thurmanite
AM: James will demonstrate circular lamination for rings & bracelets. Students will begin working on their cured pieces from yesterday.
PM: James will demonstrate domed lamination for cabochons and pre-patterned lamination. Students will continue working on laminating new pieces and finishing cured pieces.
Thursday, 24 May: Cold Joining
AM: James will demonstrate tab setting. Students continue to laminate and begin to finish pieces.
PM: James will demonstrate threaded connections (screws eyes & set screws). This is the last opportunity to laminate.
Friday, 25 May: Finishing
AM: Clean up resin working area. Students work on finishing pieces.
PM: Final work on pieces. Review everyone’s pieces. Clean up studio.
Materials that students will bring:
Disposable protective gloves
Eye protection
A respirator (optional) if they are very concerned about mild off-gassing—but not required
A variety of materials to laminate ( papers, laminates, veneers, fabrics, etc.)
James THURMAN
James THURMAN is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas’ College of Visual Arts & Design, where he coordinates the 3D Core program as well as teaches in the Metals & Jewelry area. He received his MFA in Metalsmithing from the Cranbrook Academy of Art and his BFA in Sculpture from Carnegie Mellon University. In 2010, he completed a four-year term on the Board of Directors of the Society of North American Goldsmiths and is now currently serving as Editor of Technical Articles for the organization. As Editor, he recently oversaw the publishing of Tech Text: A Compilation of SNAG Technical Articles 1975-2010.
A prolific and highly active studio artist for more than fifteen years, his work has been included in hundreds of national and international curated and juried exhibitions as well as ten solo exhibitions in the past ten years. In addition to the exhibition of his work, James regularly lectures and gives workshops about his work and the unique technical aspects of his studio production, including a laminated composite material he developed, “Thurmanite.” Recent engagements have included Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston Glassell School, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, and Radford University.