My 2nd Teaching Residency at Suzie Cappa

It was again tremendously fun to teach clay hand-building at Suzie Cappa Art Center (for adults of all abilities). I tried to come up with projects to bring out my special students' special charms. Hopefully, you'll be able to see them in their works.

Project 1: Reviewing slab-building techniques, we made mugs. You may think the mug walls are too thick, but it was laborious to make thin slabs without a slab roller. I want to congratulate their efforts and accomplishments instead.

Project 2: Lids were added.

Project 3: I think the ladybugs and snails made the ordinary mugs delightful.

Project 4: For some reason, the students were fixated on using the white glaze. Introducing different colors here and there would have improved their pieces. I'm learning here, too.

Project 5: As the students responded well to the previous project, we made animal soup bowls.

Project 6: Taking a break from slab rolling, pinch-pot techniques were introduced. These fruits rattle.

Project 7: Two pinch-pots were stacked together in this project. When we were unloading the kiln, the green bear made us laugh. I just love their out-of-the-box imagination.

Project 8: Responding to a student's request to make a turtle, this project was brought in.

I could not have done my classes without assistance from volunteers. This wonderful piece came out of a collaboration between a Suzie-Cappa's artist and a volunteer.

Extra Project 1: When we had a little time left, we worked on a small project like this.

Extra Project 2: These mini cacti were easy to construct, but it was difficult to glaze, especially for those with limited dexterity. In the end, we just slapped on a few different glazes. I'm happy with the results.

Final Project: The students wedged scrap cray, rolled slabs out of the recycled clay, and built these bird bowls. All my students have done a fantastic job. They also taught me valuable lessons. Thank you all.

Awaiting completion. On the Sponge Bob, you can see how I assisted glazing with wax resist (the green areas).

Special thanks to Suzie Cappa's staff for their help in making this residency successful. My special thanks also go to Cookie, who stepped up to fire all the students' pieces free of charge.

This Artists in Schools and Communities Program was sponsored by the South Dakota Arts Council.