Details on the Artist in Residence Program
Which Artist in Residence Program is Best for your Students?
Clay for Kids offers three residence clay programs that are from 5 to 8 days in duration:
1) Curriculum Projects
We offer over fifty-five art and cross-curriculum clay projects for elementary and junior high school
grades. A range of projects is available for each grade such as the Life Cycle of a Butterfly for
grades K to 1, the Peruvian Child for grade 3 and the Four Pillars of Democracy for grade 6. These
projects reinforce curriculum studies, encourage students to explore their artistic skills and support
the development of fine motor skills.
Our Artist will arrive at your school to set-up for the 5 to 8 days of workshops. We will provide all
materials and supplies for the program. The assignment of one work space for the duration of the
residency is necessary. We ask that there is always a teacher and two adult assistants present to
assist in the workshops.
(INSERT 2 TO 4 PHOTO EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS)
2) Tile Murals
Clay for Kids has constructed over 50 tile murals in Alberta and most of them are still on display in
schools. These murals vary in size from 50 to 700 tiles and are typically mounted in corridors or
other public areas in the school. Each mural is a unique design and may be based on curriculum
studies or commemorate special occasions such as the opening of the school. The teachers and
students can participate in the planning and layout of the mural, shape and size of tiles, tiles
colours and finishes and all other aspects of the project. Upon completion, students are proud of
their participation in the project and know exactly where their tiles are located on the mural. This
project teaches the student that a common goal can be achieved by working collaboratively and
demonstrates the relationship between art and design.
As an example, the “Alberta Tile Mural” was requested by CBE teachers for the Social Studies
program in grades 3 and up. The mural is constructed in the shape of the province of Alberta and
students create clay discs that represent the flora and fauna of each geographic region.
Our Artist will arrive at your school to set-up for the 5 to 8 days of workshops. We will provide all
materials, supplies, plywood, paints and aprons for the students. The assignment of one work
space for the duration of the residency is necessary as the students can see the mural being
assembled. We ask that there is always a teacher and two adult assistants present during the tile
making classes. After the tiles are fired, the Artist will coordinate the tile acrylic painting or
finishing to ensure that the desired overall visual image is achieved. Note that the location and
installation of the mural must be coordinated with the Facilities Department.
(INSERT 1 OR 2 EXAMPLES OF MURALS)
3) The “Power of Masks”
This is a newly developed program featuring “Masks around the World” for grades K-4 and “The
Culture of Masks” for grade 5-9. Masks have been a part of almost every tribal group and culture
since the beginning of time. We have been delivering these classes (Iroquois spirit mask, Inuit
mask, Mexican mask) for several years and have found that students have a particular interest in
learning about masks and understanding the associated culture. Did you know that aboriginal
tribes in Canada had such ornate and colorful masks?
Our Artist will provide a power point presentation to guide the students into the world of masks and
capture their imaginations. They will be shown the features of masks and how these masks are
part of the tribal culture throughout the ages.
PERUVIAN MASK
For each of these programs:
(INSERT A PHOTO OF A YOUNG CHILD WORKING ON A POTTERY WHEEL)
1) The step by step procedure for construction of each project is carefully designed to ensure
that it is inclusive of all learners and has essentially a 100% rate of successful completion. In
addition, the instructor inspects each project upon completion to ensure that it will remain
intact during the kiln firing process. The finished project will be a permanent reminder of the
achievement of the student.
2)
A clay throwing demonstration will be provided by our instructor on our portable pottery
wheels at the start of each workshop. This is an essential part of our program as it
immediately engages the students and strengthens the concept of clay as an art form.
3) Each student will have the opportunity to experience work on our portable pottery wheel
under the direct supervision of a designated wheel instructor. Students will be asked to
temporarily cease their primary clay project in order to work on the pottery wheel. This is a
unique experience for students and truly is a special moment in their creative lives. They can
both see and feel the “lump of clay” responding to their touch and transforming into an everchanging shape. When it is ready, the clay piece will be painted by the student while it is still
turning on the wheel. There will be a variety of slips (colors) available and the wheel work will
be dipped in clear glaze and re-fired to ensure that it is safe for use for food storage.
4) All required materials and finishes such as paints, brushes, colour slips, glazing and sealing
finishes would be provided.
5) All clay projects would be fired in kilns in our studio and returned to the school within 21 days
for finishing by the students in a final 2 or 3 day residency. Alternatively, the projects could
be fired in the school if it has a kiln, except for wheel work which must be fired by our
professional instructors.
6) A parent viewing could be organized upon completion so that students in each grade could
display their clay creations and demonstrate their knowledge of their curriculum subject. We
suggest that these displays be organized by grade but this will be determined by the school
staff. Pottery wheel demonstrations would be also provided, including wheel work by the more
adventurous parents. This event could be combined with a silent auction of clay pieces made
by our instructors and selected students for fund raising purposes.
7) A ½ or one day visit to our functioning pottery studio could also be included. The students
would be further informed on the type of clay, hand building versus wheel throwing
techniques, the creation of molds, procedures for drying and firing clay, finishing techniques
and other aspects of a modern pottery studio.
Options for Finishing the Clay Work
 Glazes - projects are completed and painted with colored slips in the classroom by the
students. The work is fired, dipped in clear glaze, re-fired at our studio and returned to the
school within 21 days.
 Acrylic paints - projects are completed in the classroom, dried, fired and returned. A
professional Clay for Kids Artist will come to your school to lead the students in painting the
projects using acrylic paint. We will supply and assist in applying a variety of sealing finishes.
Other Requirements
1) All instructors have received the Clay for Kids training program and have a personal copy of
the 350 page projects manual.
2) All Clay for Kids instructors obtain a police security clearance at the start of each school
year.
3) Clay for Kids maintains a commercial general liability insurance policy with $2,000,000
coverage for public liability and property damage.
4) All instructors are fully covered by the Worker’s Compensation Board.
5) The portable pottery wheel is designed and manufactured in Alberta by Clay for Kids for
exclusive use in our pottery program. The pottery wheel has received approval by the
Canadian Standards Association (CSA).