400 Bowls Going Home

“When do we get to take our bowls home?”

“Are our bowls ready yet?”

“How much longer until we can see our bowls?”

We were greeted with these and similar questions for several weeks in the hallways of Thompson. Finally, after weeks of waiting, the day arrived.

We met with each classroom and gave students time to look at the two bowls they created. We talked about the curriculum connections and the ceramic process and gave students time to reflect on what the act of making their bowls meant to them.

Then it was time to say, “goodbye” to the bowl chosen for Arlington Eats. Students were reminded of the symbolism of their gifts and how much they would be cherished by their new owners. We were so impressed with the generosity and grace showed by our Thompson kids. They truly are amazing.

 

 

We leave you with one last quote from this day:

“I had a hard time deciding which bowl to give away. I finally decided to give away the best one, and I’m OK with that.”

Presenting – Fifth Grade

Have a look at these pieces made by Thompson’s fabulous fifth graders!

 

Students decorated their red terra cotta with white slip reminiscent of the wares made by potters in New England during the Colonial and Revolutionary eras. Some chose to finish their pots in a more traditional fashion with a clear amber glaze and others chose to add an extra splash of color.

 

Come see all their wonderful pieces on Saturday. Purchase tickets or sponsor another family at http://www.arlington-eats.org/bowls/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolutionary Redware

Oh, the anticipation! Orginally scheduled for our first workshop only to have it cancelled by snow, the 5th graders’ excitement had been building for quite some time

We began by talking about the types of pottery that would typically be found in a New England household during the Colonial Era and the American Revolution such as milk pans and chamber pots. We learned that potters were also farmers. Using native clays that turned red upon firing, they made functional pottery during the winters when farm life was less demanding. The potter’s craft became even more important during the Revolution when imports were scarce.

First, students rolled out slabs of clay and pressed them into foam to create trays. The trays were then decorated with with white slip (a mixture of clay and water). The results were reminiscent of Colonial milk pans.

Next, clay was pressed into molds to create bowl forms. Students were shown how to make and add attachments to create cups or chamber pots and even whimsical animals!

Stay tuned for the finished results!

 

Photo Credit: Shunsuke Yamaguchi

Pueblo Pottery Palooza!

4th Graders getting excited about clay

After a week’s delay from so much snow, Thompson’s 4th graders got their hands in clay on February 4th!

Rolling coils of white clay on to terra cotta

Pinching a bowl using a mold.

We slammed out slabs, rolled in patterns and pinched pots like the Pueblo potters of the American Southwest, our inspiration and curriculum connection.

Students played with natural clay dug up from the coast of Maine while learning about how clay is formed and how the Native American potters prospected for different types of clay to use.

Finished and drying!

After looking at traditional patterns that use radial symmetry of the interior of bowls, the students composed their own inlay design using coils of white clay on red terra cotta.

Pinch Pots!

Melody coaching

Eileen helping

Thanks to the fourth graders, the teachers and our volunteers, we had a great time in the classroom on our first day.  The kids have decided which bowl they are going to keep, and which they are going to donate to Arlington EATS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Julie Rackliffe Lucey

The Clay has Arrived at Thompson!

That’s 1,350 pounds of terra cotta clay and 36 pints plus one gallon of glaze. Soon to be 400 bowls!

Thank you to everyone who assisted or offered to assist with the clay delivery. We couldn’t have done it without your help.

Giving Back

A bowl embodies the human capacity to give and receive. In ceramics, bowl making is the most popular project because it holds this metaphor.

Clay is perhaps the world’s most responsive medium. It will do what you ask of it, within reason.  Pushed and squeezed by muddy fingers, a pot is transformed into hard, durable ceramic by the heat of the kiln. When we heard about hunger in the Thompson School Community, inspiration struck. Creating ceramic bowls with the kids and donating them to Arlington EATS for a food centered event integrates art, food and community.

 Art.

In keeping with the mission of the Thompson School, the project is inclusive–every student at the Thompson School, from kindergarten to 5th grade, will participate. Each class will receive two sessions of a ceramic arts integration workshop specifically tailored to their curriculum by the grade level teachers.  Each student will make two bowls– one to keep and one to donate. Workshops will start in February 2015. The finished projects will be returned to the students in April. All classes will discuss the process as a class with the artists when the pieces are presented.

Food.

Remember the story of Stone Soup? Hungry travelers arrive at a village with only an empty cooking pot, fill it with water, and add a stone. The villagers, curious, ask how do you make soup from a stone? We only need a bit of this or that, the travelers answer. When the villagers have each given something from their cupboards, a nourishing soup is served to all.

Children have been coming to school hungry. Clay vessels hold food. Holidays and celebrations center around food. By making the bowls for a community meal, the kids of Thompson become active participants in raising awareness of food scarcity while filling their bellies! One small gift multiplied by many becomes plenty for all.

Arlington EATS will be hosting a community meal and Empty Bowls event on May 16, 2015.

Community.

This project will bring together the efforts and gifts of students, teachers, families, local organizations and citizens of the Town of Arlington.