Rio Grande’s Rio Rewards PMC® Certification Program is designed for the serious and dedicated PMC enthusiast who seeks the recognition that a standardized level of expertise offers. Visit the Rio Grande Workshops Page to sign up.
Taught by one of several world-class instructors over the course of three days, the curriculum is demanding and tests specific skills and techniques (apart from artistry) for working with PMC. Students who complete certification leave the class equipped with advanced skills and knowledge, prepared to teach PMC classes and to incorporate PMC into their own work, not to mention enjoying the benefit of discounts on more than 1,000 products as a member of the Rio Rewards program. Students should have considerable working experience with the product and should be comfortable with techniques such as joining, slip joining, hollow forms, ring construction, rolling out equal thicknesses of clay, stamping textures and working with two-and three-dimensional forms.A series of seven specific projects test students’ proficiency in using PMC in a variety of ways.
Techniques taught include stamping, carving, simple tool-making, gem-setting, building a hollow form, embellishing beads, patterning, texturing, mold-making, slip-making, ring-sizing, rehydrating PMC and creating surface finishes. Also included are various firing techniques from kiln-firing to torch-firing PMC with Aura 22, discussions on metallurgy, gemology, teaching techniques and ways to set up a PMC business.
Each project is designed to present several aspects of Precious Metal Clay. By demonstrating their skills through these pieces, students demonstrate to themselves and to the instructor that they have a solid understanding of these diverse uses of the material. Successful completion of this intense three-day workshop provides confidence for artists and teachers, preparing them for a wide range of professional pursuits.
Instructors evaluate each of the projects to assess students’ level of accomplishment. Participants who do not complete all projects during the class may send their work to the instructor for evaluation after the class. Those students whose work meets the established standard are awarded a certificate and enrolled in the Rio Rewards Program.
Limited to only 10-15 students, classes are small and guarantee plenty of one-on-one instruction. All certification classes are the same in cost, duration and established standards. While travel, meals and lodging are the responsibility of the student, tools and PMC will be provided in the class—along with finishing and mold-making materials. Students do not need to bring anything but are welcome to bring personal tools they may want to use.