Clay Play and Glaze Days in Grades 9 & 10

As part of a unit exploring the major isms and movements post 1850 (give or take), we used Art Nouveau with its emphasis on hand crafting and nature-inspired decoration as our starting point for learning ceramic basics. 

Using templates, we hand built cylinders, using the correct joining method. Then, according to their plans, students added relief designs or carved into the clay. Some students made cut-outs and adapted the top edge. 

The pots were firstly bisque-fired to 900￮. Then the students glazed their vessels, again following a glaze plan. Lastly the final magic occurs, during the glaze firing to 1200￮. It is so exciting to have the kiln, so that students can truly appreciate the full process behind the enduring artform of ceramics.