SCULPTING IN CLAY

Today my students were involved with brainstorming, discussing, or even sketching. They were actually scullpting in clay and what a fantastic time they had. Brad and Tara opened the clay once class had started. Everyone was eager to begin. But first Brad had to give the instructions. He sat in a chair surrounded by my students. With boards and clay in front of them they began to sculpt Brad. He asked them to sit in one place and then change to another so that they could see from all angles. Some of the students were apprehensive but most just dived in! And wow what awesome miniature sculptures were created! I was absolutely blown away by the results. They had of course worked with clay before but not in sculpting the human form. This was also a different type clay than the kind that we use in class for handbuilding and throwing on the wheel. And they didn't even have to use scorring and slipping. My students loved that! Once Brad moved from the "hot seat" it was my turn to model. According to Brad I posed in a much more difficult position but I thought it might have been easier. But whatever the case may be, the students met the challenge. (He did a rather large piece of me. Hope I'll be able to keep it!) After my posing session was over Danyell, one of my students, posed also. Then before the bell rang Brad decided to have a class discussion or critique of the pieces that had been created. As you can see by the photographs there were some really incredible sculptures made especially for their first time. How would I judge the success of today's class? Well when one of my students tell me that I need to get some of that kind of clay so that they can do more sculptures like these - I know the really enjoyed it and learned more than I could ever had taught them. Tomorrow Brad plans for them to do a larger piece on which they will be able to do more detail. The kids can hardly wait and neither can I!!!

Larry Hewett