I REALLY need a kiln!

A lot of greenware .....















Happy Mudding!
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Final project...

The final project - a slab box. They jumped right in and got to work, most finishing the building process in one class.





















Next step - decoration! They must use carving, stamping, AND sprigging.
Happy Mudding!
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Student wheel work

I have been giving the students a chance at the wheel, letting them find out if it's as easy as it looks. I was pleasantly surprised to find that a couple of them did rather well.












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Finishing up

I now have 7 place settings air drying, waiting to be bisqued. I think that they did ok with these!





















I can't wait to see them glazed and fired!
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Visit from the Super

Two weeks ago we got a new superintendent of education here.  His first week on the job, he spent his time in a different high school each day.  At each school he talked with teachers and students, asking questions and answering some.  He spent very little time with the administrators, wanting to get a hands on look at the schools.  He came through our classroom, and I laid out everything my students made last year for him to see - a couple of hundred pieces of greenware - as well as the greenware my summer school students had completed.  He had a good time with my students, and asked them a lot of questions about their work.  After hearing that we had the only active program, but no equipment, he assured me he would try and get a kiln in place by the end of Aug. (I have heard that he is actively seeking the funds to fill my purchase order for a kiln and 6 wheels)
Here's a couple of pictures of his tour through the class.

Today the news announced that the superintendent was able to get a very large grant from the Office of Insular Affairs, with $1.3m of it going to equipment, and supplies for the classrooms, teachers, and students!  It looks like I may get my kiln and wheels!  The super intends to have all these things in place by the beginning of the new school year - about a month from now.  :-)  WOO HOOOOO!

Finishing up, Ready to bisque! (2) part 2

Here are the other 7 photos that wouldn't post last week.





















I hope you enjoy the designs!

Form??? Design??? There's a difference???

I've been busy with the students for this second session, trying to show them the difference between form and design. They have to show me three form ideas for a 5 piece table setting, choosing one for their final. Then show me three design ideas to go on the form they have chosen. Finally I showed them a stack of square slab plates from a previous class, each with a different design on it. All the same form - all different designs. They finally got it. So I have some unique settings in progress. ;-). I will post photos when they get a little further. To make sure I cover the same concepts without repeating the lessons, they have to use all three basic handbuilding techniques. They start with a pinch bowl, then do a cup & saucer using coils. Finally, they make the dinner plate and salad plate using slabs. Some of the form and design combinations are pretty ambitious. Photos next Monday!
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Finishing up, Ready to bisque! (2) part 1

For some reason this post got kicked back into the draft folder - I think it has too many photos. So I will break it into two parts and try again. This is the final post from my session 1 students.

This week the students were to make two slab plates and decorate them. Again, I was surprised by their designs.

Finishing up, Ready to bisque!

These summer school students have been working hard, trying to get 90 days of instruction done in 15 days. They have surprised me with some of their design ideas. Here are some pics of their coil project "face mugs".



































Next post - Finishing up, Ready to bisque! (2)

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