News +
Events

Sawtooth Spotlight

Throughout the holiday season, Sawtooth School for Visual Art has long been a destination for showcasing quality, handmade works crafted by regional artists. The tradition continues this year with the inaugural Sawtooth Spotlight: Juried Exhibition + Holiday Market, a year-end celebration of fine art, craft, and community featuring one-of-a-kind artworks perfect for holiday gift-giving. Juried […]

Free Open Studio Hours for WNC artists affected by Helene

We are heartbroken to see the catastrophic destruction caused by Helene, especially in western North Carolina. We’ve heard so many stories of artists who have lost everything–decades of work, important equipment, even their homes and workspaces. We’ve been brainstorming meaningful ways to help in the recovery stage and are announcing a new opportunity. Sawtooth in […]

Announcing our 2024-2025 Artists in Residence

We’re delighted to announce our 2024-2025 Ceramics Artists in Residence and our 2024-2025 Gondring Resident in Woodworking! These four emerging talents will spend the next year at Sawtooth developing new skills, fostering community connections, and creating new bodies of work while assisting with studio operations. Our new Ceramics Artists in Residence are A.C. Bell (Asheville, […]

Sawtooth receives a substantial grant from The Winston-Salem Foundation to begin strategic planning, marking a pivotal moment in the school’s nearly 80-year history.

In advance of the organization’s 80th anniversary, Sawtooth School for Visual Art is proud to announce that it has received a substantial capacity-building grant of $25,000 from The Winston-Salem Foundation to help develop a strategic plan–the school’s first in over a decade. This plan will act as a guide for the organization, setting out a […]

Apply today for 2024-2025 residencies in ceramics and woodworking

*Applications for our 2024-2025 Artist in Residence program have closed. Please check back for more information, and mark your calendars for next year’s application window!* For nearly 80 years, Sawtooth has been a creative hub for the region—an energetic craft school environment in downtown Winston-Salem, NC. Our year-long Artist-in-Residence programs encourage the development of new […]

Sawtooth Print Group Exhibition

Sharing enthusiasm for printmaking in all of its many forms. January 24 – March 2, 2024 Opening reception: Saturday, Jan. 27, 4 – 5 pm Good Impressions: Readings from the Press Bed Saturday, Jan. 27, 5 – 6:30 pm Our Print Group Exhibition features works by local artists eager to share their enthusiasm for printmaking […]

Announcing new studios inside The Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness

Sawtooth School for Visual Art is proud to be a founding partner of the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness (Generations Center), a new 62,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art community center opening this November. Led by Senior Services, and bringing together 21 community partners, this unprecedented collaboration is the first of its kind to bring various organizations under […]

YARN SPLASH!

From June 20th through August 1st, the Davis Gallery at Sawtooth transforms into an interactive fibers exhibit and maker space. Fiber graffiti, also known as “yarn bombing”, is a form of street art that uses vibrant displays of knitted, crocheted yarn, and fiber instead of traditional spray paint and chalk. Make a pompom, crochet a […]

Not Quite Perfect Pottery Sale 2023

Join us in the Davis Gallery on Thursday, June 15th, from 4 – 7 pm for our annual Not Quite Perfect Pottery Sale! Shop one-of-a-kind handmade pottery from our students, instructors, and staff who have donated their perfectly imperfect pieces. What makes them not quite perfect? Some are experiments, some didn’t turn out exactly how […]

Sawtooth School Welcomes Executive Director, Lauren Davis

Sawtooth School for Visual Art is delighted to announce the appointment of Lauren Davis as Executive Director. Davis has extensive experience in nonprofit management, most recently serving as Chief Advancement Officer at Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County. “We received an amazing level of interest in this position from qualified candidates across the entire country,” […]

Sawtooth Artists Market

Sawtooth Artists Market is a celebration of our artist instructors, students, and arts community. Our most talented artisans will be in our studios demonstrating and selling their work on December 2nd from 6 – 8:30 pm and December 3rd from 10 am – 3 pm. Join us at our Preview event on December 2nd from […]

Jeremy Tritchler, Furniture Maker

Jeremy Tritchler is a hand tool woodworker specializing in 18th century cabinet making at Colonial Williamsburg. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Wyoming, he worked for several years as an exploration geologist in Utah. A long-time woodworking hobbyist, Jeremy eventually started taking part time woodworking classes at Salt Lake Community […]

Sawtooth Class & Exhibition Can Enhance National Black Theatre Festival Experience

Sawtooth workshop gets attendees ready to attend the National Black Theatre Festival in style, and an exhibition about Affective Injustice has appeal for both gallery- and theater-goers. Click here to read the Full Yes Weekly article.

Zak Foster - Textile Artist & Quilter

Sawtooth is excited to welcome Visiting Artist Zak Foster to our Textiles and Art + Wellness Departments this summer!  Raised in rural North Carolina and now living in Brooklyn, New York, Zak is a self-taught artist whose work draws on Southern textile traditions while incorporating found fabrics and natural dyes with an eye for sustainability. […]

Tori Motyl- Throwing Big

We are excited to welcome ceramic artist and educator, Tori Motyl, for a 3-day hands on visiting artist workshop April 1st – 3rd. Tori specializes in large scale functional and sculptural vessels made from wild clay she digs herself. She has honed her skills as a large pot potter during her residency at The Village […]

Sawtooth's Updated Mask Protocols

Effective Oct 17th, 2022 Face coverings are optional on Sawtooth’s campus, including in all studios. Please remain respectful of all students. Sawtooth is an inclusive environment and we desire for everyone to feel supported, safe, and welcome on our campus. Disposable masks are available at our front desk for anyone who would like one. As […]

Myles Calvert- Visiting Artist

Myles Calvert was born in Collingwood, Ontario. He attended the University of Guelph with a focus in printmaking, before travelling to London, UK where he completed his MA in Printmaking, at Camberwell College of Art (University for the Arts, London). Major bodies of work included installations of screen printed toast and the idolization of popular […]

Updated COVID Protocols

At Sawtooth, we continue to monitor and follow the CDC guidelines for maintaining a safe environment for our students, faculty, and staff members.   Our Updated Guidelines as of January 5, 2022:  Everyone, vaccinated or unvaccinated, must wear masks at all times when on the premises  Limited class sizes to ensure social distancing  Students and instructors are asked […]

Metal Clay Artist Symposium 2021

Sawtooth School for Visual Art is happy to be hosting thethird Metal Clay Artists Symposium (MCAS) August 26 through 29, 2021.  MCAS features a mix of one-day and two-day hands-on workshops by nationally-known metal clay artists, an opening evening roundtable discussion, breakout sessions, 2-hour Technique Discovery Workshops, a month-long metal clay invitational exhibit, a vendor’s […]

Susana McDonell - Printmaker

Sawtooth School for Visual Arts is excited to partner with Speedball Art Products to present an Online Designing & Block Printing Geometric Repeat Pattern on Fabric with visiting artist Susana McDonell! Susana will be teaching virtually on Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22. In this two-part workshop, we will first create a repeat geometric […]

Announcing a Collaborative Wood Fired Kiln Project

Sawtooth School for Visual Art is excited to announce a major expansion of its ceramics program along with a community partnership with The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA). The expansion centers around the construction of two new wood fired kilns to compliment Sawtooth’s existing comprehensive ceramics facility. The project is designed to maximize exposure […]

Sawtooth School Hires Two New Program Directors

Sawtooth School for Visual Art recently hired two new program directors: C. Stephen Hurst as Director of Photography and Josie Vogel as Director of Woodworking. Executive Director Amy Jordan says, “Steven and Josie bring such a wealth of experience as both artists and educators. We are thrilled to welcome these two incredible artists to Winston-Salem […]

Sawtooth's New Online Shop

We are excited to announce our new online shop just in time for the holiday season. With new artists added weekly, we hope you will return on a regular basis to support local and read about our featured artists. Shop now

COVID-19 UPDATE

Dear Sawtooth Community, Thank you for your support and understanding of our protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing in full transparency and a desire to exercise extreme caution, I have some news to share with you. One of our staff members has been exposed to COVID-19 by a family member but has tested negative themselves […]

Safety in our Studios

Safety in our studios looks different these days, but the experience is still wonderful! In response to COVID-19, we’ve created a great environment in our studios with small class sizes, plenty of room and access to tools, and lots of individual attention. Come see for yourself this fall! Our safety protocols include:  Abiding by state […]

Message from the Executive Director

On March 18, amidst the uncertainty we are facing, I was reminded of the power of the arts. I accompanied Seth Charles, our Director of Ceramics, as he opened up the studio for students to collect projects, tools, clay, etc. More than 100 students came by. It was moving for Seth and myself to see […]

Metals at Home

I hope everyone is still pursuing creative projects at home! This is my latest distraction, or should I say attraction?! Handmade dichroic glass cabs will be bezel-set in sterling silver to create pendants. I like creating a simple drawing of the pendant then placing different cabs on the drawing to see which one(s) I like […]

COVID-19 Update

Due to the Governor Roy Cooper’s “stay at home” order and the unfolding of the pandemic, Sawtooth will remain closed until June 1, 2020. As we continue to monitor the situation we will keep you updated on our website. Thank you for your support of Sawtooth. We look very forward to seeing everyone again in […]

"In Studio" with Leslie Smith

Dear Sawtooth friends, If I am working on my artwork, then I am “in studio.” It is a very expansive place. So, I am trying to spend a lot of time in studio. I walk in my studio and find my sketchbook asleep. Oh dear! I have got to wake it up. I have started writing […]

Q & A with Visiting Artist Katie Baldwin

Tell us about the workshop that you will be teaching. Participants will learn how to achieve multiple colors in a woodblock image with perfect registration through the traditional technique of Japanese woodblock printing. This workshop will be an introduction to the printing process mokuhanga, which uses water-based pigments (or sumi ink), a kento registration method, […]

Work at Sawtooth: Registration Coordinator

Sawtooth is seeking a part-time registration coordinator to join our staff. Please send letter of interest and resume to alexklein@sawtooth.org to apply. Job Brief The Registration Coordinator is an administrative support team member that acts as the first point of contact to students seeking information or assistance with registration and student services. This position is […]

Valentine's Day at Sawtooth

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with art! We have a handful of short workshops on and around Valentine’s Day for cute couples and sensational singles alike. Enjoy a unique experience together, or surprise your darling with an extraordinary gift handcrafted by you. Upcoming Classes and Workshops Heart Basket with Cheryl Tilley Thurs. Feb. 6 from 9 am-12 […]

Myself Seeing / The Book

For the past month, I have been busily working on the letterpressed book that will be part of the Myself Seeing/Seeing Myself, an exhibit that recently opened at Sawtooth. Large 3×3′ images of the 7th-grade girls showcase their personalities, while the book gives the viewer a more in-depth look. As the girls teamed up and […]

Metal Clay at Sawtooth

This is an exciting time for Metal Clay art at Sawtooth. Read below to learn more! Metal Clay Artists Symposium (MCAS) Registration is now OPEN for the third Metal Clay Artists Symposium (MCAS) at Sawtooth School for Visual Art. This international gathering of all things metal clay will be held August 27-30, 2020. MCAS features […]

Explore Metal Clay at Sawtooth

Sawtooth is excited to bring attention to beauty of metal clay. If you are interested in this medium, we have two great options available i this year. MCAS (Metal Clay Artist Symposium) Registration is now OPEN for the third Metal Clay Artists Symposium (MCAS) at Sawtooth School for Visual Art. This international gathering of all […]

Lea Lackey Zachman & Amy Jordan's #SawtoothStory

When Amy Jordan was a Summer Art Honors student a Sawtooth Instructor inspired her and changed her life.   https://player.vimeo.com/video/375956655

Nannette Davis's #SawtoothStory

Hear Nannette Davis, Sawtooth Metals Instructor, talk about her history with Sawtooth and why she just can’t stay away!   https://player.vimeo.com/video/376665653

Winter Catalog Online

We can’t wait to ring in the new year with new innovative art classes, exhibitions, and events. Here’s a taste of Winter 2020! + Visiting Artists: We are excited to bring four new visiting artists to Sawtooth in 2020! Katie Baldwin will join Sawtooth in February for a Mokuhanga: Japanese Woodblock Printing Workshop. Katie is […]

That Time We Made A Camera Out of A Pumpkin

“I wanted to do something special for Halloween and hit upon the idea of turning a pumpkin into a pinhole camera obscura. I hollowed out a pumpkin, spray painted it black and cut out a square for the pinhole lens. After several attempts of fixing light leaks and figuring out what the pinhole could see […]

Sawtooth at LEAD Girls Rising Expo

At the LEAD Girls Rising Expo on Sept. 28th, Sawtooth’s focus was providing a makerspace where the LEAD principle of awareness was addressed for. LEAD is an acronym for Learning Everyday Accomplishing Dreams. As an organization, they focus on principles that will build our girls up and prepare them to RISE to their potential. Through […]

Katie Baldwin

Katie Baldwin is a printmaker and book artist who has traveled internationally as an artist in residence, including at the Nagasawa Residency in Japan. She has exhibited extensively, including at Geida University in Tokyo and the Print Center in Philadelphia. She received her MFA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She will be […]

Interview with artist Nannette Davis

Sawtooth Instructor Nannette Davis has just finished designing jewelry that will be at seen during New York Fashion week. She sat down with us and told us about this exciting project! What kind of work do you do? My name is Nannette Davis and I am a jewelry designer and fabricator. I also teach beginning […]

Summer Instructor Spotlight

Katie Dickson Yarbrough is a full-time, photojournalistic photographer based in Winston-Salem, NC. She received her BFA in Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design and has been perfecting her craft in the field. This summer, she will be teaching several class for Sawtooth’s Photography department! Take a class this Summer with Katie: Advanced […]

Caring for the Creative Self: A Personal Story

Coping with the loss of my mom is without a doubt the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve attended one on one therapy sessions, grief writing classes, and group sessions, all have been extremely helpful in their own way. As a part-time photographer, I even used my camera as a way to grieve my mother with a […]

AMY JORDAN APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sawtooth School for Visual Art announces the appointment of Amy Jordan to the role of executive director. Jordan has served in the role of interim executive director for the past three months, stepping in following the departure of former president and CEO Geoff Corbin. Prior to that, she served as the vice president of arts […]

Caring for the Creative Self

At Sawtooth, we believe Art + Wellness lives in every studio. Our partnership with Trellis Supportive Care, formerly Hospice and Palliative Care, has allowed us to extend our Art + Wellness community with our pilot program, a seven-week grief support series titled Caring for the Creative Self: Support for Adults Grieving the Death of a […]

Amy Sanders, Visiting Artist

We had so much fun with Visiting Artist Amy Sanders. Her demonstration focused on soft slab construction, ways of using stamps to add texture, as well as “terra sigillata” – an ancient method of using ultrarefined clay slip instead of glaze. Check out these photos from her two-day workshop!

Instructor Spotlight: Jeanne Arzillo

“I try to expose students to a greater range and combination of media. My students are made aware of the “interconnectedness” of art and other subjects because nothing in this world is truly compartmentalized.” Jeanne Arzillo is a multidisciplinary artist and educator. She received her BFA with an emphasis on ceramics and sculpture from Georgia […]

Silvia Cordero Vega, Visiting Artist

Students will learn how to work with the ruling pen, one of the most adaptable instruments with big creative potential to develop new writing and drawing. Register for this workshop on Sat., 5/4 from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. About calligraphy artist Silvia Cordero Vega Silvia Cordero Vega, graduated from the University of Buenos Aires […]

Supplies for Camp Sawtooth

Did you know that Sawtooth accepts in-kind donations of artwork, tools or art materials? Currently, we are looking for art supply donations to help us with Camp Sawtooth this summer. Donation Request List: Buttons Bottle caps Washers, hinges, and other small, non-sharp metal pieces Wire (especially florist wire) Pipe cleaners Individual hole punchers Beads Sidewalk […]

Self Portraits from JoAnne & Ken

These two self-portraits hung in my office upstairs, and I often spent a fair amount of my day staring at them when I should have been working. JoAnne did her print in 1978. She would have been 21 or 22. My painting was done in 1986, when I was 24. By then, we were both […]

A Collector's Legacy

Join Sawtooth School of Visual Art & Piedmont Craftsmen on May 18th for a celebration & auction of selected works from the art collection of JoAnne Vernon. JoAnne was Piedmont Craftsmen’s Gallery Director in the 1980s, served as their Board Chair (2010-11), and was the late Executive Director of Sawtooth from 2012-2016. The celebration & […]

The Magic of The Darkroom

Steven Spielberg could have not made a more perfect moment. We were in the Sawtooth darkroom. I took the photo paper and put it in the developer tray as a busload of teenagers in an introductory photo class watched. The image started to emerge. “Whoa,” one kid whispered. “Magic water.” We sometimes forget how magical photography […]

The Return of Summer Art Honors

Dates: June 17 – 28, 2019 Sawtooth’s Summer Art Honors is returning after a six-year hiatus! This esteemed program is designed for students who are passionate about the arts and want to pursue degrees and careers in the arts. Classes will be held Monday – Thursday. Fridays are reserved for visiting artist discussions, portfolio reviews, […]

Lapidary Classes added to Metals & Glass Studios!

The rhythmic, grinding sound of rocks being turned into gemstones is a new emanation from the hallway of studios at Sawtooth. One of Sawtooth’s most recently added programs is off to a flying start since lapidary classes began in the fall session. Classes in cabochon-cutting introduce students to the wonder of turning a rough slab […]

Welcome to the New + Improved Sawtooth!

Sawtooth is proud to reveal our redesigned, mobile-responsive website + new registration system! Our students now have full access to their accounts, including the ability to set up a family or corporate account, add additional contacts (such as children, grandparents, emergency contacts), search and register for classes for each member of your household in the […]

Art + Wellness at Sawtooth

The benefits of using arts in healing have been well-documented over the past decade. The arts have been shown to aid in resolving grief and loss issues, promote increased self-awareness through imaginative expression, and create an overall sense of wellness, relief, and better mental health. Art stimulates dialog and creates a safe environment for self-expression. […]

Instructor Spotlight: Kelsey Brown

Kelsey Brown is a fiber artist and educator, and is the co-owner of the Village Fabric Shop in Reynolda Village, which reopened recently with a focus on sustainable fibers and apparel fabrics. Kelsey teaches sewing, natural dyes, and weaving here at Sawtooth. Passionate about sustainable materials, she creates her own natural dyes and often recycled […]

What Is A Comfort Bird?

A comfort bird is a small wood carving that can fit in the palm of one’s hand. These sweet birds are often made as a token of affection and support for a loved one in need. Sawtooth instructor, Tim Trudgeon taught a group of students how to carve comfort birds in a Taste of Art […]

Glass Bead Making

Spend a fun couple of hours learning something new, meeting new friends, and create a lovely piece of art. This class features Glass Beadmaking using a bench torch and colorful glass rods. Everyone has their own torch… make a handful of original beads! No experience necessary. Register for a glass bead making class starting in […]

Instructor Spotlight: Betti Pettinati-Longinotti

Betti Pettinati-Longinotti has had her work shown internationally. She is a multi-disciplinary artist who works in drawing, painting, mixed media and glass. She received her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, her MA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, in Art Education with a studio major in Glass and her MFA […]

Explore Creativity this Summer!

This has been an amazing summer. We are so proud of the work that our 3 – 18 year old students have been able to produce in such a short time! Summer is almost over, we do have a few summer youth camps left! If your child is interested in exploring their creativity, have them […]

Sawtooth School for Visual Art is happy to be hosting the third Metal Clay Artists Symposium (MCAS) August 26 through 29, 2021. Find more details on the MCAS website here! MCAS features a mix of one-day and two-day hands-on workshops by nationally-known metal clay artists, an opening evening roundtable discussion, breakout sessions, 2-hour Technique Discovery Workshops, a […]

The Path Forward

During the past 15 months COVID has taught me that creativity and exploration are not optional, but rather, a mandatory method of self-care. Whether we are exploring the world immediately outside our front door with camera in hand or looking inward to ourselves with self-portraits, creativity has been a pathway and beacon of light. Here at the Sawtooth […]

For over twenty years Dominick Rapone has been teaching Printmaking techniques at multiple colleges. He was the Printshop manager and professor at the School of Visual Arts in New York City for twenty years. There he taught Silkscreen, Lithography, Woodcut, Letterpress, Bookbinding, Etching, and Monoprint. He also Taught at Marymount Manhattan College, Gowanus Print Lab, […]

Effective April 2nd, 2022, face coverings will be optional on Sawtooth’s campus, including in all studios. Please remain respectful of those that continue to mask. Sawtooth is an inclusive environment and we desire for everyone to feel supported, safe, and welcome on our campus. Disposable masks are available at our front desk for anyone who […]

Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 16th from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm. Our annual Not Quite Perfect Pottery Sale is your opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind handmade pottery and sculpture for shockingly low prices. More than 250 artists and craftspeople have donated their perfectly imperfect pieces for this sale, including professional artists, staff, instructors, and students. So, […]

Mark your calendars for the fourth Metal Clay Artists Symposium at Sawtooth August 24-27, 2023. Visit mcassawtooth.com for more information and to register!

This Spring: Chasing & Repousse’ with Kimberly Renee’ and Throw, Mold, Pinch, Decorate! with Christina Bendo. Chasing & Repousse’ with Kimberly Renee’ Visiting Artist | Metals Fri, Sat, Sun 4/12/24 – 4/14/24 9:00 am – 4:00 pm $375.00 / $337.50 for members Register Taking Shape—The Application of Chasing and Repousse’ for Jewelers This workshop will […]

Due to the threat of severe weather, Sawtooth will be closing today, Tuesday, January 9th, at 4 pm. All classes scheduled at 4 pm and after will be canceled for today. Program Directors will work with instructors to schedule make-up sessions for those affected by the cancelations, and we will provide you with more details […]

Sawtooth School for Visual Art and Salem College, both in Winston–Salem, NC, are proud to present Seating Assignment: Women in Contemporary Chairmaking and Craft Education, an exhibition featuring 15 contemporary women artists who specialize in furniture making and view education as a core component of their practice. The exhibition, on display at Sawtooth’s Eleanor and […]

Visiting Artist Workshops for Winter 2025

This winter, join us for inspiring and compelling Visiting Artist workshops with esteemed makers from across our region. Registration opens Tuesday, November 12. Check registration page for more information. Zoomorphic Vessels with Katherine Maloney Friday, 2/28/25 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM and Saturday, 3/1/25 from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM $225.00 Ceramics Studio Seasoned beginner […]

CLEASTER COTTON: After the Storm

Cleaster Cotton: After the Storm on view at Sawtooth’s Redding Corridor Gallery Saturday, January 11 – Saturday, February 8, 2025 In her solo exhibition After the Storm, Asheville-based artist Cleaster Cotton showcases early self-portraits alongside new poetic reflections chronicling the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. This once-in-a-century storm significantly damaged and impacted much of western […]

Sawtooth Closed Due to Severe Weather

Due to the severe winter weather, Sawtooth is closed on Monday, January 13, 2025. While many primary roads have been cleared, secondary roads remain a concern, and we want to prioritize the safety of our staff, instructors, and students. All programming for tomorrow will be postponed or canceled, including our classes at the Intergenerational Center […]

Visiting Artists Workshops for Spring 2025

This spring, join us for inspiring and engaging Visiting Artist workshops featuring distinguished creators from our region. Visit the workshop registration page for more details and to reserve your spot! Clay Form We Transform Through Fire with Antra Sinha Friday 5/16 – Wednesday 5/21 Times vary $575.00 Seasoned beginner to advanced students Ceramics Studio Register […]

Jessica Singerman: Cloud Girl Accidentally Eats Rainbow

Jessica Singerman: Cloud Girl Accidentally Eats Rainbow Sawtooth School for Visual Art Davis Gallery April 21 – July 12, 2025 Opening Reception: April 17, 6 – 8pm Cloud Girl Accidentally Eats Rainbow features video, collage, drawing, and textile installation works that explore our relationship to the ephemeral and ever-shifting natural world. *** Through textiles, drawing, […]