School of dolls "Articulated Hight Art Doll School" ✨

• Solafea Folk&Dolls •

How was my dream born?

The idea of creating a school came to me a long time ago. I have given master classes on various topics and lectured. Many people asked me: "When will you start sharing your knowledge of doll art?". Every time, this question hurt me. I didn't have the connections, nor the time and financial resources to start teaching people. And then 2022 happened... My career, which was just beginning to take off, collapsed. I never thought politics could have such a profound impact on a person's life. It seemed to me that art would never be subjected to such pressure. There is much I still have to remain silent about, and some things to this day have never seen the light of day... For a long time, I hesitated to restart my work; I didn't want to face that pressure again. But now I have decided to pursue my career abroad. It's the hardest path, but I cannot stop creating and striving for artistic freedom!

What format for my school project am I considering?

It doesn't matter to me at all how I enter the field of art education. It could be employed work as a teacher, a short master class, or self-employment.
In my understanding, the most difficult parts of organizing a school are the workshop for teaching students and the legal details. These are the things that have been, and still are, difficult for me. And I am well aware that few people will want to take the risk. But in any case, I:

can fully organize the educational process on my own, and even learn an additional language.
have a good, practical understanding of safety standards in the workshop, considering all the nuances of doll making.

Brief description of the workshop🌿

Organization of the Educational Process

- Sculpting the master model. Several modules with lecture and practical material. 4-6 months

- Making molds from the master model. Several modules with lecture and practical material. 2-4 months

- Casting clay or porcelain into molds and processing the parts. Several modules with lecture and practical material. 2-4 months

- Bisque firing, greenware processing, and glaze firing. Several modules with lecture and practical material. 2-4 months

- Painting with overglaze paints. Several modules with lecture and practical material. 2-4 months

- Assembling the doll with springs, creating the character (wig and clothes). Several modules with lecture and practical material. 2-4 months

Workshop needs

- A space of approximately 18 square meters, with the possibility to set up air extraction and powerful electrical outlets (considering the use of a kiln).

- Tables set up along the walls to separate the workshop modules:

-- Area for the kiln and its equipment

-- Area for sanding with a portable ventilation system or vacuum

-- Area for sewing and decorating

-- Area for slip casting

-- Spacious wall shelves for storage and a whiteboard for notes

-- In the middle of the room, there would be desks pushed together for students and chairs.

-- A coat rack for clothes, aprons, and respirators

Equipment and Materials

- A kiln for firing up to 1250 degrees Celsius with a programmer.

- Ventilation hood above the kiln and a portable ventilation system

- Safety equipment (respirators, gloves, a cabinet for paints and varnishes, aprons)

- Sculpting tools, plaster, porcelain, clay, air-dry clays, overglaze paints, polymer clays, custom-ordered springs, etc.

- A Proxon micromot rotary tool

I am open to any suggestions!

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