FAEA Workshop 2013: Face Jugs ReVisited
By Sonia McDowell~ Buck Lake Elementary Art teacher
Description of Presentation:
Participants will be introduced to the history and the making of face jugs using simple techniques for high success and skill.
Face jugs, a folk tradition among African American potters in the South, were created by both white and black potters- not just
the slave potters. Learn how to carry on the Southern tradition of face jug making with your students. Discover the purpose and
historical significance of face jugs or “ugly jugs” from the slaves at Edgefield, SC to the Meaders family of North Georgia up to
present day.
The workshop will include the following:
ORIGIN & PURPOSE of FACE JUGS & ARTISTS that continue the SOUTHERN TRADITION; DEMONSTRATION of FACE JUG
ORIGIN & PURPOSE of FACE JUGS
 Video: Antique Roadshow
 Slideshow of the history and purpose of face jugs from the 19th century
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Purpose of 19th century face jugs, images of 19th century & present day Southern face jugs
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Jim McDowell: the Black Potter - http://www.blackpotter.com/
Images of student face jugs from upper elementary & personal Face Jugs
PBS: History Detective: Face Jug (Aired: 08/16/2010; 14:48 min)
http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/educators/lessonplan/face-jug/
o Video only http://video.pbs.org/video/1918318256/
History of pottery making in N.Georgia: MEADERS family- famous face jugs/ decorative pottery
 Folk Pottery of N. Georgia- greaty outube video of the change from basic utilitarian ceramic jugs to
decorative pottery & face jugs;
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Museum website - http://www.folkpotterymuseum.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3itAd5TMII&feature=PlayList&p=2E69058026B8F350&playnext=1&playnext_from
=PL&index=11
Images of Lanier Meaders face jugs/ pottery w/ links to other Meader family members
http://www.folkpottery.com/lanier/lanier.htm
Interview w/ Annette Meaders about family history; childhood memories (first 4min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5JM9343rEI
Antique Roadshow: Lanier Meaders Interview/Appraisal *Very Good*
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/200701A28.html
Dirty Jobs w/ Mike Rowe: Pottery Maker- season 3; shown with the “Leather Tanner” episode
Makes a face jug w/ David Meaders http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PNZGG4/ref=dv_dp_ep15 (purchase episode)
DEMONSTRATION on making a basic jug
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Attaching two pinch pots of equal size – good technique for many ceramic sculptures
ADDING FEATURES FOR FACE JUG
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Demonstration of adding distorted/exaggerated features in the Southern tradition (white teeth and eyes)
Visual step by step directions of making jug and adding facial features - slideshow presentation
Additional Handout
o Tools & Materials: Must Haves and More // Simple Creative Ideas for Texture in Clay
>>> Participants will create their own jug and/or create a face on a pre-made leather hard jug <<<
email: mcdowells@leonschools.net
ALL MATERIALS & RESOURCES AVAILABLE ONLINE at…
https://www.edmodo.com/soniamcdowell - GROUP CODE : 4fvfwf
http://teacherweb.com/FL/BuckLakeElementarySchool/Art/index.html
- old resources from 2009
Sonia McDowell_Face Jugs ReVisited @ FAEA.2013
Tools & Materials: must haves and extras
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Always use fresh clay for the jug form to prevent jugs from blowing
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Large sheets of manilla paper as clay placemats for clay – can dry out clay
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Small cream cheese containers for slip – used to adding features to jug
Popsicle sticks – for scratching additions before smoothing and for patterns/ textures
Forks – used for scoring before adding additions and for patterns/ textures
Pencils (used)– used for drawing textures on clay
Q-tips - used for smoothing those areas you can’t reach with your fingers
Paper clips partially straightened – used as a cutting tool; curved end works as clay too also
Snack cups (applesauce/ Jell-O): fill finger cup half way with water -use for smoothing (one/ two
fingers only)
Sponges with handles (hospital donation)- good for smoothing the neck
Round clay sponges for smoothing
Small rags/ towels for table clean up- use dry rather than wet
Large ice cream buckets used on the floor by tables as small trash containers for cleaning table
Large container filled with used/recycled “practice” clay to use for all additions – remember to keep
wet (I spray with water, top with wet towel and cover with plastic then the lid; I add vinegar to water
bottle from time to time also)
 Bread trays (bread company donation) – used to store clay projects when wet and dry; Plastic shower
curtains & clothes pins – covering bread trays with clay projects
 Plastic stacking baskets to storage of materials
 Trays for tools (I like trays for frozen Stouffers Lasagna)
 Media carts – put bread trays and clay projects on and store out them of the way but trays can
counters can be used also
SIMPLE CREATIVE IDEAS FOR TEXTURES IN CLAY
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Alphabet noodles are great for pressing into clay for adding creative words, names, intials, class codes
Lasagna noodles make great wavy lines
Various noodles – try rolling them and/ or pressing and leaving them in the clay
Mardi Gras beads make a great pattern of circles and clean up easily
Seashells, brazil nuts, some creative marker tops
Rubbing texture plates
Baking texture matts
 NOODLES- can be left in clay, they will burn out in the kiln; noodles will absorb moisture from the clay so they
should be added last or toward the end
Sonia McDowell_Face Jugs ReVisited @ FAEA.2013