I AM PLODDING THROUGH MUD: Brick Pigment Making Workshop

Historic bricks are tangible pieces of the past that offer a connection with the present. “Hidden” bricks are a type of red brick that were made by the Hidden Brick Company in Vancouver, Washington. The Hidden Brick Company was started in 1871 by Lowell Mason Hidden and continuously operated in Vancouver until 1992. According to SJ of brickmojo.net, Hidden bricks are unique for many reasons, including the earth that provided the raw material for the bricks. This yellow clay-loam came from a rich alluvial silt deposit that occurred at brickyard locations in Vancouver and can still be found today along both sides of the Columbia River.

This workshop, in conjunction with the current exhibition, I AM PLODDING THROUGH MUD, will show you how to transform broken Hidden bricks into pigment. Artist Cassie Tompkins, who uses bricks in her sculpture as a means to connect with local ecosystems and human labor, will walk you through the circular process of grinding the bricks into a powder through making a paint that is ready for you to use.

No experience is necessary.

Participants will need to bring (optional, but helpful):

• Artist paper: variety of types and sizes, including but not limited to watercolor paper
• Brushes: variety of types and sizes, inexpensive is fine!
• Jars with lids (used and cleaned from food is fine, you’ll need about 3)
• Notebook and pencil for taking notes
• A few rags for cleaning up messes
• A dust mask, either respirator style (better protection from dust particles) or a N95

Provided by instructor:

• Foraged bricks
• Mortar and pestle
• Mulling slabs
• Paint mullers
• Watercolor binder
• Studio supplies