First off, what is MISSA? I'll let them tell you... (From the MISSA website):"The Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts has been providing high-caliber specialized workshops for artists, teachers, and serious adult students since 1984. MISSA has a reputation for hosting local, national, and international instructors who engage with students in an intense multi-disciplinary environment. MISSA welcomes students from around the world to participate in an artistic immersion for two weeks every summer."That sums it up nicely, I'd say. And now for my MISSA adventure.MISSA was a vague idea tucked away in my awareness. I sort of knew what it was but never really explored it. It was back in 2012 or 2013 when I first heard of it through one of the founding members, Robin Hopper, a fantastic internationally acclaimed potter and instructor who was awarded the Order of Canada for his work in the Canadian art world. Robin passed away in 2017, and I am honored to have met him when I had a studio in Metchosin.It wasn't until November 2023 that Xchanges studio artist Cindy Write suggested I reach out to MISSA to teach a workshop on the wet plate process. I hadn't thought of MISSA for 10 years! I gave it some thought and decided I wasn't ready for that. But then I looked at the website, the workshops, and the teaching/workshop application, and a couple of days before the deadline, I submitted a workshop proposal. It was accepted almost immediately! That was January 2024.It seemed like the July workshop was so far away back in January, but time quickly passed, and the workshop date was fast approaching. Chemicals and supplies were ordered, handmade notebooks and tintype transport boxes for the students were made, a pretty in-depth study book was created, as well as a PowerPoint covering the history of the process, my history, and all the chemical details to create tintype photos was developed.The day finally came, and I was ready. I drove up to the beautiful Shawnigan Lake School Campus the day before the workshop to set up my classroom. There was a welcome reception for instructors on the lawn of the school, followed by a wonderful dinner, giving an opportunity to meet fellow instructors, MISSA staff, and volunteers.Class started the following day at 9:00 am, and we got right to it, going through introductions and into the PowerPoint. By 10:30, we were pouring our first plates. Students had a great time photographing each other and figuring out the process of how to pour the collodion and develop the plates. We explored making tiny 35mm tintypes and glass plates as well. Before we knew it, the first day was done, with several plates being made.On the second day, we got right into plate making outside, which proved somewhat more challenging to determine exposures and work out the variables of the process. After lunch, we worked on a couple more plates, then it was time to varnish.The workshop was over as quickly as it started. I had a great time at MISSA, and I believe my students did as well. I look forward to next year, not only to offer a workshop if they'll have me but also to enroll in one or two workshops. There's nothing like sparking your creativity by immersing yourself in art that is outside of your normal practice. It's a great way to connect with new people and new ideas.Please enjoy some behind the scenes photos and student tintypes below. (thanks to Terry for providing some additional photos)
If you are interested in setting up a demo session for your group or learning this process either in a group setting, or one on one, please send me a note: [email protected]
