Final Works

Recent Work

Textured Mugs

Glazing and Painting

This week in ceramics class the students learned the difference between PAINTING a ceramic peice and GLAZING a cermic peice. I told the students the benefits and detriments of both mediums, and I allowed them to choose to work at either the glaze station OR the painting station. As a side note to students and parents, all glazes are lead free and dinnerware safe.

Why are we drawing when this is ceramics class?

The students in the all-star academy ceramics class have been adding drawings to their sketchbooks in order to plan for future clay projects. As an artist, all of my ideas begin in my sketchbook, a place where I revise, rework, and transform my plans for larger scale projects. My sketchbook is a place I return to when I need new inspiration, new direction, or new options. As an art eductor, I believe it is my responsibility to teach students the vital role of the sketchbook in the creative process.

Sketchbooks are:

1. A place where we can create concrete plans, including the steps, processes, and materials needed for larger scale projects

2. A place to gather and synthesize images and ideas

3. A place where we can visually document events, people, and places. It is a place where we can remember.

4. A place where we can work out creative problem solving processes

All-Star Academy Ceramics Class Begins!

Another session of all-star academy ceramics class has begun (an after school program)! The class is full with 16 students (grades 2-6). The students have been working hard creating castles and coil pots. The peices are currently firing in the kiln and will be available for glazing next week!

Final works!

Over the past two months 16 students, ranging from grade 2-5, have spent 3 hours per week learning how to form clay creations. The ceramics class was one of the afterschool classes offered in the fall session of the Allstar Academy program at Crossroads Charter Academy. The students learned how to create functional and sculptural ceramic artworks by using slab, pinch, and coil methods. The students learned about the process of sculpting, bisque firing, glazing, and glaze firing. Students also learned that sculpting requires creative problem solving. For example, the student must reflect on the following while sculpting:

1. What is the purpose of my sculpture?
2. How is my sculpture going to stand?
3. What method(s) will I use to arrive at my final sculpture (slab, pinch, coil, etc)?
4. What color of glaze would look best on the form I created?
5. Oh no! My artwork is slumping over! How am I going to make it more sturdy?