
Erin Strohschein, art teacher at Havelock Middle School won a TRAA Art Grant, administered through PIE for her grant, “Multiples in Ceramics,” for $250. This grant allowed her to purchase items to use in slip casting. This is a technique for the mass-production of pottery and ceramics, especially for shapes not easily made on a wheel. She reports:
The TRAA Art Grant awarded to Havelock Middle School has been completed and is currently being used in the classroom on a weekly basis. Students are using the slip and glazes purchased with this grant to learn about using slip casting molds and replicating multiples of vessels such as cups and bowls and mugs.
Students that have never had experience with slip casting are really enjoying learning about the process. They have a new found respect for how regular ceramic ware is made from major companies that mass produce such items. They are especially enjoying making identical forms, and then learning about how different glazes can produce extremely different finishings.
Some of these works will be displayed at the Duffy Gallery Show in the spring.
Shown is Tamea Hill, one of Ms. Strohschein’s 7th grade students showing two of her ceramic planters created from slip casting a mold.
Congratulations, to Ms. Strohschein and her students at HMS! We love the idea of how you inspire your students every day!