8th Graders Discover the Wheel!

8th Graders had the special honor of christening the studios two new pottery wheels. After their 10 minute observation contour drawing exercise, students watched and commented as I demonstrated the techniques for preparing clay and "throwing" it on the wheel to create vessels. Students were shown the mechanics of the pottery wheel, the bat, and the tools needed to work on the wheel. Demonstration included attaching the batt to the wheel, the perfect speed for centering the clay, how to center your clay (don't let the clay bully you!), tricks for shaping the clay into different forms, and how to remove the vessel from the batt. Ultimately, students will create planters for the flowering plants 8th graders will continue to draw once a month throughout the school year. Students will also work over the next few months to create a dinner set of 4 cups, bowls, salad, and dinner plates.