Art I students have “muddy hands.” They are busy with hand-built ceramic projects.

An early project uses a basic pinch pot to create small imaginative creatures as different “as the students designing them.” Pinch pots are created by rolling a ball of low fire clay, forming a depression in the center followed by pinching the clay gently between the thumb and fingers to shape it into a cup.”

The cup is turned on its side and the shape of the creature’s mouth is modeled into the clay form.”Shapes such as eyes, nose, teeth, tongue, and other features like tails and spikes are added to the initial form. Some students choose to add textures to the surface while others work to have it feel as smooth as possible.”

The creatures then spend several days drying out before being turned into bisque ware by going through a cone 06 kiln firing (approximately 1832 degrees Fahrenheit). Students then get to add color by glazing these ceramic pieces. The glazing process requires that the creatures go through another firing in the kiln.

This project provides students a chance to learn several things. They must learn to wedge the clay so that no air bubbles are trapped to “blow up” in the kiln.”Basic clay joinery techniques are practiced to add the faces and appendages to the creatures.”Liquid glazes must be brushed on carefully and allow students to experiment with adding colors to their creations.

These skills further develop with practice on more advanced ceramic projects.”Through the frustrations and successes of working with the clay, students develop an appreciation for the work of ceramic artists.