Description
BZIPPY / Bari Ziperstein Studio
Sun Valley, CA
Seeking a Part-Time, Temporary Clay Fabricator of Smalls
Part-Time: 3-4 days a week, 8.5 hrs a day
Contract duration: November, 2021 – March 2022 with an option to renew.
Who we are:
Founded in 2008 by artist Bari Ziperstein, BZIPPY is known for its experimentation and innovation with ceramic furniture, planters, and home accessories. Working tirelessly to develop engineering methods that challenge conventional notions of slab construction, BZIPPY devises creative solutions to both formal designs and technical concerns. The studio also facilitates the production of collectible design and fine-art work.
The setting for this position is within a 9,000 sq ft artist studio in Sun Valley, CA that houses the creation, fabrication, and sale of ceramic sculpture. With nine full-time employees, the studio is a business first and an artist studio second.
Position Overview:
Bari Ziperstein Studio is looking for a part-time Studio Fabricator of Smalls seeking part-time hours, with the skills and abilities to work in a small but growing studio environment. The contract for this position is temporary; November, 2021 – March, 2022 with an option to renew. The Studio Fabricator of Smalls must have a high level of working knowledge of best practices for slab-built ceramics in order to assist with the fabrication of high-quality, tabletop-scale slab-constructed ceramics.
The studio is recruiting an individual with 2-3 years of prior clay and studio experience with the skills and abilities to work in a small but growing studio environment on a part time basis from November, 2021 until March, 2022 with the option to renew their contract and grow within the company. This role is specific to the production of small tabletop units from the studio’s production catalog.
Applicants must have at least 2-3 years of hard slab construction experience on a small scale. Wheel throwing and coil building skills are not transferable for this studio’s construction methods – joined thrown works are considered.
Responsibilities
- Preparing and assembling production ceramics including small-scale vases, and sculpture using slab-building methods.
- Following precise renderings and production instructions.
- Fabricating ceramic sculptural works with precise measurements while accounting for shrinkage rate, etc.
- Working in a collaborative fabrication team setting.
- Assisting with custom projects and commissions of small wares and sculptures – following precise dimension requirements and production process.
- Problem-solving with clay including while constructing, while drying, and post-firing.
- Working collaboratively within the Fabrication – Smalls department team and cross-departmentally as needed.
Requirements
- Can demonstrate 2-3 years of knowledge of hand-building tools such as various ribs, knives, joining, etc.
- Previous professional studio experience.
- Can demonstrate the ability to receive, understand, and apply information in a timely manner within the company training period.
- Ability to write in a clear and concise manner that enables others to read, interpret and understand messages and written documents.
- Are able to sit and stand for long periods of time, utilize hands and arms in a variety of positions with a wide range of grip strength and manual dexterity, and lift and carry up to 30 pounds
- Are able to uphold good interactions with colleagues by maintaining clear personal boundaries and professionalism.
- Have respect, admiration, and pride for the work done in the studio.
- Ability to communicate with others and face potential conflict with empathy and understanding.
- Ability to embody mistakes without blaming others.
- Ability to embrace and provide feedback.
Physical Demands:
- Must be able to push, pull, bend, stoop, squat, turn from front to back, turn from side to side, reach above shoulder level, and lift and carry up to 50 pounds
- Must be able to perform the above physical activities in excess of 50 pounds with the assistance of another person
- Must be able to perform a wide range of physical tasks on a frequent and repetitive basis for extended periods of time while working in a studio environment with cement floors, air conditioning, and heat with a dedicated workspace, computer, and inventory area
- Must be able to drive own vehicle which is in good working condition, have a good driving record, and own the minimum requirements for vehicle insurance in California.
How to apply
To be considered: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and portfolio of past ceramic slab-built work. <– link to apply
Candidates selected for an interview will be provided with a more detailed job description. In the event that you would like to receive more specific information about this position prior to submitting your resume, please send us a message. First round of interviews are held virtually, second round of interviews are held on site and include a skills test.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and negative COVID-10 test is required before start and for on site skills test. The studio is strictly adhering to local guidelines. Masks (KN95) are mandatory at all times, PPE is provided, sanitation and cleaning are closely monitored, and fabrication members are distanced at their own work stations in a well-ventilated studio warehouse.