Name of Project: Slip Casting for the Soul

Grade Level or Age of Participant: High School

School, Teacher and Classroom: South High School, David Olson, Ceramics

MCAD Teaching Artist:  Kehayr Brown

Number of Students: 30

Visual Arts Content or Standards

9.1.1.5.1 - Artistic Foundations, Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of the arts area, Analyze how the elements of visual art including color, line, shape, value, form, texture and space; and principles such as repetition, pattern, emphasis, contrast and balance are combined to communicate meaning in the creation of

9.2.1.5.1 - Artistic Process: Create or Make, Create or make in a variety of contexts in the arts area using the artistic foundations, Create a single, complex artwork or multiple artworks to express ideas. 

Overview of Project

This is an overview and introduction to slip casting presentation and process. Students will learn the practical applications for this kind of ceramic making and be able to create their own slip casted pieces.

“Big Ideas”/ Essential QUESTION(s)

How can slip casting be used to speed up production? But how does it take away from the artistic process of hand sculpting ceramic?

Student Outcome Objectives

Students will:

1. Learn an alternative method for creating large volumes of work in multiples.

2. Gain an understanding of production and production time in the industry.

3. Explore the practical and financial advantages of slip casting.

Prior Knowledge

Students need no prior knowledge of slip casting, but will need a basic understanding of clay properties.

Examples of Artwork

Benjamin Hubert, Tableware

Erin L. Shafkind, Many Pigs

Nicholas Bivins, Water(4)

Assessment

After watching the demo and learning about the slip casting process, students  create their own molds (or use the ones provided) and experiment with different techniques and create 4 unique pieces.

Materials

Slurry(or Slip): clay powers, dispersing agent, water

Mold: Plaster

Kiln 

Learning Activities and Timing

The project will run over a period of days/weeks to allow proper curing time.

Week 1: Mold Making – This allow ample time to create molds and for them to cure.

Week 2: Slurry/slip making and preparation. 

Week 3: Pour at the beginning of the week to ensure that the clay will cure buy the next week for

firing

Week 4: Firing and glazing

 

 Teaching Artist Reflection

This project opens doors for many of the students that would be interested in the ceramics and art industry. I think it also allows them to learn a new way of making that might interest them or make them be interest in the art of hand making and the involvement of the artist hand.