Pinch pot birds

 

Students are making pinch pot birds this year in Ceramics 1. The process begins with a ball of clay that is pinched out into the shape of a bowl. Once the bowl is about a quarter of an inch in thickness, the rim is brought together and slipped and scored into the shape of an empanada. Each bird is made unique by the head, tail, wings, and stand it sits on.

AP Art Show

Thursday May 29th was the AP Art Show that showcased the AP Art, Advanced and Intermediate Ceramic, and Sculpture students' artwork. Many students, family members, and faculty members came out to enjoy refreshments and all of the artwork displayed.

Mr. Koetas is the Art teacher at NBC that helped the AP Art students create their displays. They hand built their own displays out of wooden frames to create an environment to house their art. The end results were stunning with displays varying with painted backdrops to floral covered beams to create an outdoors feel. Each display was large enough to engulf you within it once you've stepped in the space. The artwork showcased was a result of the AP students development of their mediums throughout their years taking Art classes at NBC.

Circling within the 500 building were the 12 tables decorated with Ms. Kirchner's Advanced Ceramics students' pieces. Artwork ranged from pieces they made in Ceramics I to their most recent projects. The displays were each unique and unified with the fabrics and props used to decorate their tables. Students developed their displays for a week to have everything displayed just right. They were proud to show off their artwork that they have evolved throughout the years.

Everyone really enjoyed the variety in the AP Art show this year. This is the first time in years that the Ceramic and Sculpture students have participated in the show.

Realism Clay Fish

It's that time of year again when students are winding down to their last projects before summer break. Students are working on the clay fish project. Made from a simple slab, students add texture that resembles scales and roll the slab into the shape of a fish. Smaller slabs are then cut into fins and textured lines are added upon them. Once all of the pieces are made, they are slipped and scored onto the fish.

The fish only go through a bisque firing and are painted with acrylics and rub and buff. We typically use black acrylic paint to cover the entire fish so that the rub and buff really contrasts with the dark background. It is set to dry over night and the following day rub and buff is added. To apply the rub and buff, you use a small cloth and dab the paint on the cloth and rub some of it on paper before applying to your project. Too much of it will result in it globbing and your textures won't be highlighted. As soon as your rub and buff dries, your fish is complete! This is a great project for the end of the school year since we eliminate the glaze firing. As soon as the construction is done, the rub and buffing process goes quickly.

NBC students took flight with the fish project this year. The goal was to use slabs and textures to be able to accent with the rub and buff paint. Some thought outside of the box and made turtles, sharks, octopi, and even starfish. The results were stunning, especially in the showcase all together looking like one gigantic fish tank.