Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
This program is suited for attendees at All levels of experience.

deMent-triloquism:  In case you were wondering, the fear of ventriloquist’s dummies is called automatonophobic (which by the way includes the fear of wax dummies and automatons like Zoltar the fortune teller).   I can understand how ventriloquist dolls could illicit terror and trepidation; typically they are bit creepy looking.    Remember Anthony Hopkins in the film Magic, whose dummy seemed to have a villainous will of its own?   Well, in this class, I’m not sure you’ll walk away with a self-aware dummy but you will learn how to make deMented dolls that are capable of flapping their jaws.  You start with a mannequin head, doll head, bust, taxidermy item, etc. and then using various found objects you will adorn and transform them into something rich and strange.  Most importantly, your bizarre creation will be rigged so that it has the power to speak…hopefully not on it’s own.

 Want a bit of phobia inducing inspiration?  Here are a few films in which dummies come to life:  “Magic”, “Dead of Night”, “Devil Doll”, “Dead Silence” and Twilight Zone episodes: “Caesar and Me” and “the Dummy”.

About the Instructor

Michael deMeng is an assemblage artist from Missoula, MT who exhibits throughout the United States. As an educator, he has been actively involved with VSA Montana, providing art education and encouraging participation in the arts to people with disabilities. Through these activities, as well as his artwork, deMeng fosters community awareness, and offers creative methods to explore the human experience.

In his art, he addresses issues of transformation. Discarded materials find new and unexpected uses in his work; they are reassembled and conjoined with unlikely components, a form of rebirth from the ashes into new life and new meaning.

These assemblages are metaphors for the evolutions and revolutions of existence: from life to death to rebirth, from new to old to renewed, from construction to destruction to reconstruction. These forms are examinations of the world in perpetual flux, where meaning and function are ever-changing.

• Visit Michael’s website.
• Visit Michael’s blog.

Studio and Material Fee

Material fee covers lots of Dremels and tools and such, screws, extra dap and extra goodies if you left stuff behind, and miscellaneous studio supplies.

Student Supplies

Students should bring the following supplies:

Supply list:

• Doll head, bust, or mannequin head to work from.  It should be hollow.  Warning: glass or ceramic heads pose risks….they have the potential of breaking.  It can be dealt with but if you go this route you may want to bring a plastic, wood or paper mache head as a back up.  Also make sure the head is large enough so that the inner mechanism will be able to go inside the skull.
• Aves Apoxy Clay 1 lb or more  (best way to track this down is directly through the company:  www.avesstudio.com)
• Variety of other found objects that might be interesting additions to exterior of the head.  Items like watch parts, gears, old toys, typewriter parts….just about anything, really.  You want a variety of shapes and forms.
• You should consider a base for you dummy to rest on.   You may be bringing a head that has something that works as a base.  If not:  this be anything from a block of wood, to a pedestal base, to a hubcap, to candle holder, to a tequila bottle.   What you choose as a base will depend on the size of the head you bring. 
• Paint Brushes (a couple small detail brushes, and some cheap brushes (1/2 inch to 1 inch in size)
• Wire a couple of different gauges
• Basic Tools…pliers, scissors.
• Dap Kwik Seal (white) or Molding Paste
• Matte Medium
• Paints: Acrylic (Golden brand -preferably fluids – the tubes and jars will work too, the colors are the key)
• Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold,
• TitaniumWhite,
• Carbon or Mars Black,
• Pthalo Green blue shade,
• Dioxazine Purple,
• Quinacridone Crimson
• Pthalo Blue
• E600 Adhesive

Optional Supplies

• Optional Tools
• Heat gun
• Dremel  with cut off wheel
• Upholstery string
• Optional Paints
  • Kroma Crackle
  • Van Dyke Brown
  • Anthraquinone Blue
  • Micaceous Iron Oxide

Additional Program Information

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Meals

Lunch is served in our community building at 12:30 p.m. and will be provided at an additional $15.00 per day.  You must make your lunch reservation in advance.  We pride ourselves in offering a healthy and organic lunch which will exceed your expectations. If you do not wish to make a reservation, please bring a sack lunch. Beverages will be provided. Some workshops have optional evening meal events, which must also be reserved in advance. Evening meal event prices vary, ranging from $15.00-$30.00 per meal.

Networking

A social hour is provided from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. following the first day of each program. Wine, cheese and a non-alcolohic beverage will be served in the community room for you to enjoy.

Policies

CANCELLATIONS: While we understand that circumstances can arise causing a change in your plans, we must adhere to a business policy. Because it is impossible for Valley Ridge to favor one individual situation or circumstance over another, we must adhere to our policy in all situations and can make no exceptions to our cancellation policy.

• 45 Days or More prior to a workshop: Full refund of tuition, less a $75.00 cancellation fee.
• 44 Days or Less prior to a workshop: No refunds or credits for any reason.

Registration Fees: The entire registration fee is due in full at time of registration. Valley Ridge Art Studio provides an advance deposit option to make it easier for those with financial constraints to participate in our programs. The advance deposit fee secures your workshop space, and is applied to your entire workshop registration fee. Payment for your fee/materials balance and any other optional meals will be charged to your credit card 45 days prior to workshop. Non-credit card payments will receive an invoice, which is due upon receipt.

Transfer Policy: You may transfer out of a workshop to another program in the same season. Transfer request must be received at least 45 days prior to a program. There will be a $50.00 transfer fee assessed on each transfer.

Credit Card Transaction Reversal: You intended to reserve a workshop and registered for one instead. You noticed your credit card was charged for the entire balance and only wanted to apply $75.00. You would like your credit card credited for the difference. We at Valley Ridge Art Studio are willing to reverse your transaction. There will be a $25.00 administrative fee per reversal request. Your balance will be due 45 days prior to the workshop.

Program schedule is subject to change.

Release/Waiver

I understand the risks associated with my attendance at the Studio and the use of various tools, equipment and products found in the Studio.  I voluntarily agree to assume the risk of injury or illness or property damage that may arise out of my attendance at the Studio and use of tools, equipment and products found in the Studio and hereby waive and release the Studio and its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns from any and all claims, actions or losses which I may suffer as a result of my attendance at and use of the Studio.  I further agree to  hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Studio and its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns from any and all claims, actions or losses arising out of my attendance at and use of the Studio or use of the tools, equipment and products found in the Studio regardless of the cause, including but not limited to the negligence of the Studio or its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns.