APPRENTICESHIP SUMMARY

This apprenticeship will focus on apprentice artist Sheridan Cudworth’s technical goals to further develop her ceramic studio practice, including hand-building, wheel throwing, surface design and glazing for cone 6 firing with low fire techniques for pit firing. Sheridan will also gain further first hand experience working in Elaine’s vibrant community based studio, participating in and contributing to the ongoing sharing and relationship building which takes place alongside the technical lessons. She will accomplish this through 100 hours of guidance with mentor artist Elaine Xenelis Fuller spent together in Elaine’s Kittery, Maine ceramic and teaching studio, Red Door Pottery.

MENTOR

Elaine Xenelis Fuller (Kittery, ME)
Elaine began pottery classes at the Worcester Craft Center in 1978. Falling in love with clay work she continued her studies with classes, workshops and at Wesleyan University under Mary Risley where she received a Masters in Liberal Studies in 1983. She left her work in clay for 10 years to start a family.
Since her return to ceramics in 1993, she established the pottery business, Handmade By Elaine in a studio overlooking the South Cove in Old Saybrook, Connecticut where she worked teaching, mentoring and participating in the artistic community for 14 years.
In 2007 relocation brought her to the historic Kittery Foreside district to open The Red Door Pottery Studio in the former Knights of Pythias Hall where the pottery is made, lessons taught and guests are invited observe the creative passion of this place.
Elaine is the president of The Southern Maine Clay Guild, member of the New Hampshire Potters Guild and Maine Made and as of June 2009, a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. She is a charter member of the National Council of Ceramics Educators and the Potter’s Council.

“Sheridan came to my studio for a pottery class in 2013. This year during Covid times she has made a consistent commitment to her pottery practice and has expressed a desire to learn all aspects of studio work, to begin to acquire some tools and equipment of her own. Sheridan is a responsible, talented, and committed student.“ – Elaine Xenelis Fuller

APPRENTICE

Sheridan Cudworth (Kittery, ME)
Sheridan is a graduate of Maine College of Art in Portland Maine. Although her degree was in sculpture, she didn’t pursue pottery until moving to Kittery in 2013 when she enrolled in her first class with Elaine. Seven years later Sheridan has continued to expand her ceramic skillset while incorporating her experience working with various mediums such as illustration, printmaking, and sculpture. Sheridan values the seacoast community, her gardening practice, and fostering creative networks through local venues and art spaces.

“Elaine holds 30+ years of ceramic artistry experience while still constantly evolving in her practice. She has created an accessible space for artists to work, uses time trade for those who might not have funds to participate in classes, all while maintaining a loyal cohort of students and a robust inventory of works for juried shows. Elaine’s dedication to her craft, her pursuit of lifelong learning, and her dedication to the community make her someone whom I feel privileged to learn from.” – Sheridan Cudworth