6/7s Draw After Observing the Hudson River

Students trooped to the banks of the Hudson to participate in Hudson River Snapshot Day, despite the cold and rainy weather. Observational drawing, one component of the data gathering, happened back at school right after we returned where it was dry and warm, but recollections were still fresh. The students discussed what they had noticed; colors, shapes, tree and rock formations.  Working from this recent memory they then drew pictures. 

Recollections from the river

Parker students and Spanish visitors drawing

Empty Bowls...Clay for All

After reflecting on the good fortune of our community members to have enough to eat each day, and how they can help others who may be less food secure, the kindergarten through eighth grade students are beginning to work on clay bowls for our Parker Empty Bowls Event.  An introduction to or review of clay properties and various techniques happens in all the art classes. The younger students knead their clay to get out the air, roll out even slabs with a rolling pin, and cut out a flower shape using a stencil that they created. The slab is eased into a paper bowl and decorated with incising and/or scoring and slipping on additional decorations. Older students review techniques, create a bowl using either pinch, coil, or slab construction or a combination of those. Once dried and fired the bowls are glazed and refired in time for our December Empty Bowls event where families will come to admire and "purchase" the bowls as a way of raising money for a local organization that helps to feed the hungry. All the students created a work of art while reaching out to help others.

Kneading the clay

Rolling a slab

Cutting a base

Assembling slabs

Coil construction

Figuring out what's next

Joining a side to the base

Just getting going

A Parker grad came back to help with the bowl production!

Glazing begins in 2/3

Sharing colors

Middle schooler glazing a mug

                                            Some of the finished bowls

Some 2/3 Bowls on Display

Checking out all the bowls at the Empty Bowls

Event