SCG Workshop and Demonstration

Blue Line Arts hosts an Artist in Residence Program for local artists. It is a great opportunity to share Art, techniques and processes.

Blue Line Arts: “The Susan Cooley-Gilliom Artist in Residence and Teaching (SCG ART) Program is a remarkable gift to our community’s artists, arts educators, students, and arts enthusiasts. This program embodies Susan’s enduring legacy as a cherished local artist and passionate environmental advocate. The SCG ART program is dedicated to nurturing and elevating the visual arts through inspiring short-term residencies and workshops led by nationally acclaimed artists working in diverse media. Since 2023, we have expanded the program to provide artists with two annual opportunities to apply: one for Local Artists residing in Placer and surrounding counties, and another for National Artists across the United State.”

This year’s artist could not make it due to a family emergency. Instead, three local artists have been contacted to help fill in for the Program in a creative way. Yay! I was selected! Therefore, I will be giving a two day workshop on sgraffito using raw clays and pigments onto clay surfaces, along with two demonstration days. See the following information and link to Blue Line Arts for more information and sign up.

Open Studio Demonstration with Jennifer Rugge days and times:

Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 & Tuesday, September 25
12PM-2PM
All ages welcome
Free to attend! Registration encouraged.

Sgraffito with an Ancient Flair: Two Day Workshop September 10 & 11 (Thursday and Friday)

Connect with the earth through clay in this two-day, hands-on workshop inspired by the ancient art of Paleolithic cave painters from Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Sgraffito, meaning “to scratch,” is a decorative technique in which artists scratch through a layer of slip to reveal the clay beneath, creating expressive lines, patterns, and imagery.

Participants will explore natural earth minerals and clay slips while learning how ancient techniques can be adapted into a contemporary clay practice. Students will prepare their own clay slips and use them to decorate slab-built mugs and tiles, creating patterns and drawings on leather-hard surfaces. Sgraffito techniques and burnishing will then be used to enhance the finished pieces.

Designed for all skill levels and abilities, this workshop offers an opportunity to explore the connection between art, clay, and the Earth while creating unique, earth-inspired works of art.

Ray Gonzales is also part of the trio offering another two day workshop in ceramics and two demonstration days.

See what may interest you in a workshop or visiting a demonstration. All details are on the Blue Line Arts website. Hope to see you there! Come visit!

Enjoy,
Jennifer

New Art, New Show: Ancient Earth Inspirations

Hello!

It has been a long while…With the New Year, family obligations and Art demands, it has taken me needed time to sort through the challenges, Art studio fun and the care of my-self.  As we are well into 2026, my hope is that all is well with you, family and life.  For me I feel I am discovering new possibilities in my Art endeavors.  Already this year, I am finding, processing and developing new pigments and raw clays which lead to exciting explorations in Art. Two pit-fires and several paintings later my creative means are expanding.  I LOVE what I do! It brings me such joy to share what I do to make pigments, to paint and to build with raw clays.

If you are at all interested in joining me in gathering, processing or using raw clays and pigments in Art, please let me know. Send me an email for yourself or even a small group and we can put together some dates. June through October are good months.* 

*I plan to do two more pit-fires in April-May weather permitting…that is rain and wet weather are best! …And to do some clay and pigment gathering and processing, too.

Here are some possible dates:  April 11, 12 or 18, 19 or 25, 26 or May 2, 3 or 9, 10 or 16, 17.

Mark Your Calendar!

April 4, 2026: Opening Reception “Ancient Earth Inspirations” at Piper J Gallery at 10250 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, California; 4-7 pm.  I will have a demonstration and a brief talk at 5 pm. Please come and enjoy an evening of Art, refreshment, and engagement with the artist. This exhibition will be up April 3 – 29.

February 2026 Wild and Scenic Film Festival and Art Exhibition: “Best in Theme” Diptych (two 36 x 48″ paintings put together as one “And Bear Will Lead them”.

Open Studios Tour: October 10, 11 and 17, 18

Always, ENJOY! Jennifer