Fox Fridays: Plasma Cut Luminaries

Participants in this workshop will use a CNC plasma cutter and basic metals fabrication processes to cut, fold, weld, and create their own lamp / light shade. Students will all leave with a steel lamp / light shade

Dryden Wells is the Instructional Technician of wood, metals and ceramics in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Washington University. A native of St. Louis, he recently returned after having spent the previous 14 years studying ceramics in the USA and China. Upon the completion of his MFA at Texas Tech University, Dryden first moved to Jingdezhen, China, in 2008 to manage and oversee production of the Pottery Workshop (PWS) – Design Studio. After a year (2011-12) of teaching ceramics at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, he moved back to China to work at the PWS – Shanghai location. Here, he had the opportunity to instruct weekly studio classes and college courses, as well as to continue the development of his own creative work. During 2016 and 2017, Dryden taught a semester at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, and spent the following academic year running the ceramics program at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. In 2017-18, he and his partner, Andrea Moon, returned to Jingdezhen to co-direct the Pottery Workshop - International Residency and Education Center. Since returning to St. Louis, they have continue to build their studio practice and immerse themselves in the community.

Cross-disciplinary Connections This workshop will present participants with practical applications for but not limited to: 3D Design; Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, and Fabrication.

Next Steps Participants interested in learning more can contact with Sam Fox School instructional technicians Bryce Robinson, Gregory Cuddihee, Matt Branham and Dryden Wells for more guidance and instruction.

Tools Local Materials and Tool Vendors: CeeKay Supply; Shapiros Metal Supply