Ember Blair Hutchens
Director of Fine Arts
Clay, Color, & Getting Your Hands Messy.
Photo: Camp Denman
Ember Blair Hutchens brings a boundless, hands-on creative energy to Camp Denman. A multi-talented artist whose career has been exclusively dedicated to the creative industries, Ember produces ceramic works and paintings deeply imbued with movement and light. Fiercely and proudly self-taught, she honed her craft through one-on-one mentorships with renowned masters — including painter Judi Wild, glass artist Paul Crawford, potters Gordon Hutchens and Cathy Jefferson, and sculptor Beth Cavener. Her foundational years included an informal apprenticeship with Gordon Hutchens, where she fell completely in love with the magic of clay and mastered the creation of uniquely delicate, large-scale sculptures.
An expert in creative project design — a skill forged during her own years of homeschooling — Ember is a fearless, lifelong explorer of mediums, having taught classes to both kids and adults across an astonishing spectrum of disciplines. Whether she’s teaching students to stretch their own canvas or guiding them through intricate papier-mâché, Ember has a unique gift for mastering any medium quickly and translating that knowledge into unforgettable, hands-on lessons. Her mission at Camp Denman is to share that exact philosophy — empowering campers to get their hands messy, experiment wildly, and discover their own creative voices.
Training & Experience
Foundational Training
- Self-Taught, Multi-Medium ArtistCareer exclusively dedicated to the creative industries
- Informal Apprenticeship, Gordon HutchensFoundational years mastering the creation of delicate, large-scale clay sculpture
One-on-One Mentorships
- Judi WildPainting
- Paul CrawfordGlass Art
- Gordon Hutchens & Cathy JeffersonPottery
- Beth CavenerSculpture
Mediums & Practice
Experience
- Director of Fine ArtsCamp Denman · Current
- Creative Project DesignerSelf-designed homeschool curriculum
- FX Makeup Artist
- Picture Framer
- Gallery Assistant
- Master Mentors
- 5
- Mediums Taught
- 24
“My mission is to empower campers to get their hands messy, experiment wildly, and discover their own creative voices.”
Ember’s Course Catalog
Four departments, one practice.
Paper & Print
Department of Paper & Print
- PPR 101PrintmakingCarving and pulling your first print, from a simple block to a multi-layer edition.
- PPR 102CyanotypeSun-printing photograms using nothing but light, chemistry, and objects from outside.
- PPR 103CollageBuilding an image from cut and layered paper, photos, and found materials.
- PPR 104Paper MakingPulping and pressing your own sheet of paper from scratch.
- PPR 105OrigamiThe art of folding a single sheet into precise, three-dimensional form.
- PPR 106Flower PrintingPressing and printing botanicals into lasting, one-of-a-kind images.
- PPR 107PhotographyFraming, light, and composition, from camera to finished print.
- PPR 108EmbossingRaising and shaping paper or metal into a textured, dimensional design.
Paint & Draw
Department of Paint & Draw
- PNT 101WatercolourWashes, blending, and control with the most forgiving-looking, least forgiving medium.
- PNT 102Acrylic & Canvas StretchingPainting in acrylic, including how to build and stretch your own canvas.
- PNT 103Silk PaintingApplying dye directly to silk, using resist lines to keep colors crisp.
- PNT 104DrawingLine, shading, and observation — the foundation underneath every other medium.
- PNT 105Silk ScreeningPulling your own screen-printed design, from stencil to finished print.
Fiber & Textile
Department of Fiber & Textile
- FIB 101Shibori / Indigo DyeingFolding, binding, and dyeing fabric the traditional Japanese way.
- FIB 102Wet FeltingTurning loose wool into solid, sculptural felt with just soap, water, and friction.
- FIB 103SewingHand and machine sewing basics, from a first stitch to a finished piece.
- FIB 104EmbroideryHand-stitched texture, line, and color on fabric.
- FIB 105WeavingBuilding fabric and pattern one pass of the shuttle at a time.
- FIB 106BasketryWeaving natural materials into functional, woven form.
Clay & Craft
Department of Clay & Craft
- CLY 101SculptureBuilding three-dimensional form in clay or mixed media.
- CLY 102CeramicsHand-building and shaping clay, from first pinch pot to fired piece.
- CLY 103Papier-MâchéBuilding sculptural form from paper, paste, and imagination.
- CLY 104Stained GlassCutting, fitting, and soldering glass into a finished panel.
- CLY 105MosaicPiecing cut material into a larger image or pattern.
Work with Ember
Create something with Ember.
Ask about a camp week, a workshop, or a partnership, and we will put you in touch with the right person.