Elaine Buss

From Mold to Wall: Synergetic Sculptures and Terra Sigillata Surfaces

August 2 - 7, 2026

Open to All Skill Levels

Clay, Sculpture

Overview

In this immersive workshop, students will create visually impactful wall sculptures, and explore the dynamic interplay between form and surface – where 3D presence meets 2D compositional strategy. Using foam insulation boards, students will craft custom molds and explore versatile handbuilding techniques, including slab and coil. Customized hanging mechanisms will strategically integrate into the sculptures, securely supporting work on the wall while preserving aesthetic integrity. Students will learn to mix and apply colored terra sigillata on greenware. Wall sculptures will be further augmented through washes and cold finishes, resulting in surfaces ranging from dynamically expressive to quietly subtle. Students will leave with finished sculptures that blend surface, form, and concept, personal molds, and an expanded vocabulary of handbuilding and surface techniques. This workshop is appropriate for all skill levels; technical development will be created for everyone.

Course Fee : $760.00

Scholarships & Material Fees

Need help covering workshop costs? Arrowmont offers financial aid opportunities to broaden access to our arts and craft programs. We believe a diverse community enriches the learning experience for all.

Material fees are not included in our national workshop costs, but are included with the cost of our winter short workshops. A material list with estimated costs will be emailed about 30 days before the national workshop begins.

TUITION & FEES

SCHOLARSHIPS

Cost Breakdown

Registration Fee

$50.00

One Week Workshop Tuition

$760.00

Estimated Cost*
*Fees exclude housing and meal plans

$810.00

VIEW HOUSING & MEAL PLAN COSTS

Artist Bio

Elaine Buss

Elaine Buss grew up in the wide-open prairie fields of Lively Grove, Illinois. Her installations and sculptures explore the sensory, ineffable, and intangible resonances of inhabiting a human body. She earned an MFA from Ohio State University (ceramics, 2018) and a BFA from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (ceramics, 2010). Elaine’s work has earned multiple awards, including the Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist Award, the International Award for Visual Arts (Ohio State), and an ArtistInc Fellowship (Mid-America Arts Alliance). She has completed residencies at Odyssey ClayWorks (Asheville, NC), C.R.E.T.A.Rome (Rome, Italy), Belger Arts (Kansas City, MO), Charlotte Street Foundation (Kansas City, MO), and participated in the Invitational Visiting Artist program at Anderson Ranch (Snowmass, CO). Her work is housed in collections such as Honos Art (Italy), Belger Collection (Missouri), Baggs Library (Ohio), and Potamkin Collection (Florida). Elaine is currently an Assistant Professor at Kansas City Art Institute in their foundations department.

Artist Website

Explore the Ceramics Studio

Located in the historic West Building, the Ceramic Studios are a multi-room complex dedicated to all our clay loving students. Featuring both a wheel throwing studio and hand-building studio, shared spaces between these classrooms include a hot box, electric kiln room, train kiln yard (soda and wood firing), and glaze room. With dedicated, professional studio staff on-hand to assist, Arrowmont is prepared to meet every knead – err need.

Explore the Ceramics Studio