From Forming Clay to Fashioning Learning Experiences:  Pottery Field Trips Open the World of Clay and Art to Area Students

This spring, the CCLC offered the first of what we expect for be a full slate of field trips for classrooms, home school groups, and others.  Letters went out to area educators in April, and by the end of the school year three groups from the Alexander and Pembroke schools visited the Center.  What follows are some reflections from the CCLC’s resident potter, Kevin Thompson.

Kev, what was the motivation behind opening the pottery studio for field trip experiences?
The CCLC is committed  to creating learning opportunities for people including access to hands-on arts.  Most of the local schools are too small to be able to afford to run something like a pottery studio.  In our pottery studio, and hopefully studios yet to come, we can work with schools to offer a wider range of learning possibilities.  Anyone who has made a pot from a lump of clay will tell you – both the pot and the memories of creating it can last a lifetime.

How do you think the kids responded to their visit to the pottery studio?
Enthusiastically.  They seemed focused and excited about putting their own personal touches on their pots.  The younger kids especially brought lots of items to use as textures on creations.  They all clearly wanted to share with one another what they had made.  We also received encouraging feedback from the teachers and parents who accompanied the students.  They liked that the CCLC campus was fairly close to their schools, and commented that a trip to the studio was reasonably priced.  Two of the groups came on sunny days and hiked along our trail and had picnic lunches out by the fire pit during their visit.  It seemed  they were having a lot of fun.

What did the kids make?
They all started with pinch pots – the most basic forming method.  Everyone who takes a basic class always starts with a pinch pot.  They also had the chance to build boxes and containers using slab construction methods.  The fun part was watching them all decorate their boxes with textural items they brought in.  The best part was overhearing kids talk about what they would do with their pieces once they were fired and got them back.

As a potter, what do you think the students got out of doing pottery?
I think the biggest thing they learned was patience.  The ceramic process is not a quick, instant gratification type of thing.  Taking a lump of clay and working it into a finished piece requires lots of steps.  Plus, you often have to wait between each step and can’t rush the process.  This art form allows for a broad range of creative expression, yet there are many rules to follow to make sure your finished piece comes out well.  There are many lessons to be learned in this process. 

What would you like to share with groups who may be considering a visit to the studio?
I’d love a chance to work with educators to tailor field trips to fit their curriculum.  I can offer a basic introduction to clay or work with folks to help link their experience with the pottery studio to aspects of curriculum ranging from history, cultural studies, creative writing, geology and chemistry. Aside from field trips, I’d like folks to know they’re welcome to come in during open studio time to work independently on projects.  I’m looking forward to seeing programming and studio resources expand.  We’re working to raise additional funds, and in the future plan to invest in more wheels (right now we have two) as well as a gas kiln, extruder, and a greater variety of hand tools.  One of the ways we’re hoping to raise money is with a Soup & Salad Bowl fundraiser this coming winter.  We’re going to make a whole bunch of one of a kind bowls, and have a big dinner where people make a donation and get to pick out one of the bowls, eat out of it for dinner, then wash it and take it home.  We invite anyone who has taken a class to come in and make a bowl or two for that event.  It should be lots of fun!

To inquire about field trips to the CCLC’s pottery studio plus other field trip opportunities through the Center, please call 733-2233 or email kev@thecclc.org