This imitative ceramic vase from Ariane Freisleben was among the 33 examples of student work on Iris Mishly’s site. You’ll see an impressive collection of ways that polymer artists have found to use the Cosmic Ceramic lessons for widely varying effects and styles.

But Ariane isn’t a casual polymer student. She is so enthusiastic about the future of polymer in Europe that she is constructing Galerie Freisleben, a beautiful class facility in the Bavarian countryside.

Ariane’s Flickr site shows more of her work as well as pictures of the renovations underway as she prepares the property to house 14 overnight guests and 18 class participants. A gallery and store are also in the plans. The opening festivities are scheduled for August with Canada’s Claire Maunsell teaching the inaugural class.

If you’re wondering what’s ahead for polymer in 2014, take a look at the buzz about the new Galerie Freisleben on Facebook.

Start your year with a bang by entering your work in the international awards program. The deadline for online entries is January 20. And don’t forget to register early for EuroSynergy in Malta April 30 to May 3.