WE ARE:

…A small ceramics production located in Westhampton, MA, wife-and-husband owned and operated since 2014. Tandem Ceramics specializes in slip-cast ceramic production and surface design. We formulate our clay and glazes in house and manufacture all production molds and masters in our 1000 square-foot studio located in the hilltowns of scenic Western Massachusetts. We are surrounded by a large arts community, plenty of entertainment and music, small family farms and lots of natural beauty. 

YOU ARE:

• looking for a hands-on learning experience

• self-motivated and a team player

• available 8-12 hours a week

• a doer! someone who works well with others

To apply:

For both Apprenticeship and Internship opportunities, please read the information below before applying. Send your résumé, a letter of intent and two references to tandemceramics@gmail.com. For Apprenticeship applications, please include 3-5 images of your current work.

APPRENTICESHIP

We are offering a long term 18-24 month apprenticeship providing instruction and mentoring. This is a hands-on learning experience that will show you how Tandem Ceramics creates their work and offers firsthand participation in our business as well as our creative process. This is ideal for someone who is serious about pursuing a career in ceramics and/or wants to build a body of work. One to two years experience in clay or an undergrad degree in Ceramics are a big plus! If you want to see what its like to start a ceramics business or build a portfolio to apply to Grad School, this is the apprenticeship for you. Apprentices will also have access to a wonderful community of makers who make a living selling their work. We have a great community of artists and craftspeople here in Western Massachusetts!

This apprenticeship is a work/trade opportunity. Benefits include a free studio space with provided potter’s wheel and shelving along with free firings and use of our electric kilns when they are not in use by us. All clay, materials, and tools are the responsibility of the apprentice. This apprenticeship is not a full time job, nor is it a paid position. The time requirements are 8-12 hours a week and occasionally more depending on the season.

You will learn a variety of skills including:

• slip casting + mold making

• surface design involving decal work as well as luster application

• hands on experience in a ceramics production business

• tools in sales and marketing your work

• sales opportunities during our open studios 

Our ideal candidate is thoughtful, eager to learn and respectful of others, can work in a team environment, yet can work on their own and be self-motivated on the days we are not around. They have a keen desire to learn about and engage in the life and business of ceramics including production work.

Some Questions To Ask Yourself: 

• Why do I want an apprenticeship? Why this one with Tandem? 

• What are my goals going into this apprenticeship? What do I want to get out of this experience? (Skill development? Aesthetic development? Professional development? Technical expertise?) 

• If I have had academic training in clay, what do I hope to gain from this apprenticeship that my formal education did not provide for me? 

• If I don’t live in Western Massachusetts is this experience worth relocating? Where would I work? 

• Am I interested in learning small scale production? Can I see myself incorporating slip casting into my artistic practice? 

• Will I be able to fire my work in an electric kiln (cone ^6)? Am I willing to commute and bring my work off site in order to take advantage of other firing opportunities?

• Am I the type of person that shares space well? How will working alongside my mentors and other apprentices affect my studio practice?

• Am I receptive learner? How do I handle constructive criticism?

INTERNSHIP

We offer 12 week internships providing instruction and hands-on learning for those looking to gain experience in the field of Ceramics. Hours spent in this internship can be used for college credit if desired. This is ideal for anyone who is wanting to learn more about Ceramic production, wants to see the inner working of a small business or is serious about pursuing a career in ceramics. One year experience in clay is required (undergrad studies in Art and/or Ceramics a big plus!). This internship is not a full time job, nor is it a paid position. The time requirements are 12+ hours a week, totaling 150-200 hours.

You will learn a variety of skills including:

• slip casting + mold making

• surface design involving decal work as well as luster application

• hands on experience in a ceramics production business

Our ideal candidate is thoughtful, eager to learn and respectful of others, can work in a team environment, yet can work on their own and be self-motivated. They have a keen desire to learn about and engage in the life and business of ceramics including production work.

Some Questions To Ask Yourself: 

• Why do I want an internship? Why this one with Tandem? 

• What are my goals going into this internship? What do I want to get out of this experience? (Resume building? School credit? Skill development? Professional development? Technical expertise?) 

• If I have had academic training in clay, what do I hope to gain from this internship that my formal education has not provided for me? 

• Am I interested in learning small scale ceramic production?

• Am I the type of person that shares space well? Am I receptive learner?