Yahoo Metal Clay group post
I made a post earlier today on the
Yahoo Metal Clay group forum. This forum is a wonderful (if not as active as it once was) forum, and I encourage you to sign-up for free if you have not done so already. There are many very talented artisans openly and generously sharing some great information.
My post was in response to a posting made by another member named Kerry (who I do not actually know).
Here it is in it's entirety:
I totally agree with Kerry with regard to having some experience before presenting oneself to a Certification class. There have been many previous discussions about certain 'folk' out there who have gone through the certification process (and are now considered to be "teachers"), but in fact, lack the talent, and/or know-how to be able to teach others. IMO - and many others as well, this has caused a true snowball effect, whereby the problem keeps perpetuating itself, and there are literal 'newbies' teaching others, and the skills and knowledge get poorer and poorer, as each class is given. Kind of like the 'broken telephone' game.
I strongly caution anybody considering certification to check out the prospective teacher's work and reputation before shelling out $500-1600 for a class. I've heard many crazy and horrible stories from my Customers of what can (and does) go wrong in certain of these 'certification' classes.
I respectfully disagree though that students would "learn techniques not found anywhere else". There are many fantastic books, DVD's, magazines, tutorials and classes available which cover those same techniques - plus many, many more new and updated and actually practical techniques. No certification asked for, nor required. No "special" pricing for the thrill and joy of learning. Things have changed over the years - there are many more educational opportunities available today than there were say 6-7 years ago, back in the day.
Kerry, I also respectfully disagree with this statement: "you will be recognized and acknowledged as a participant in the metal clay community". I believe that is completely misleading to any newcomers reading your message, and almost exclusionary and rude - as if it's some uber-exclusive club to be in - which it really and truly isn't.
A person does NOT need to be certified to be an integral part of the Metal Clay community, and does NOT need certification to be "recognized and acknowledged as a participant in the metal clay community". That's just silly. Last time I checked, anyone can be an integral - and vital part of the Metal Clay community.
Anybody curious about my viewpoints is more than welcome to visit my Blog, where I've written a bit about this, and/or you may also contact me via e-mail off this board, should you wish to discuss anything.
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I've made a further blog post with regard to a 'rewards-based system', which includes a compelling video from Daniel Pink who encourages change from outdated ways which have been scientifically proven to be unsuccessful.
Photo via Pinterest courtesy of paleoart.com
I agree! There are no classes near where I live. Well, there was one given at a local art league, but seriously, I knew more than the instructor - and she was *certified*! The class was not expensive, but it was a waste, for me.
I learned through books, videos, and trial and error. Someday I will have the opportunity to take a class - and you can bet it will be with a well-vetted instructor! - but for now I just mosey on, in my own way, learning as I go along. Does seem unfair that the o
