A Day with Clay at Garden City High School

On April 4, Garden City High School Latin and sculpture students studied the history of multicultural pottery as well as created their own pieces under the direction of esteemed working artist Cliff Mendelson.

Cliff Mendelson is a clinician who specializes in historical pottery building techniques.

In the morning session, Latin students, under the direction of teacher Kathleen Durkin, and sculpture students, under the direction of teacher Amanda Marino, experienced the multicultural potter's wheel demonstration program in the style of Greek vase painting where attention was given to the creative process and the step-by-step aspects of designing vessels on a wheel. Students decorated and designed their own collaborative pots using attic, Greek patterns, symbols and social themes. Using a sgraffito technique, they inscribed these patterns directly onto their vessels.

In the afternoon, students worked with firing clay and created Native American- inspired ceramics. After studying various photographs of Native American pottery, students participated in a hands-on workshop where they created pottery that emphasized patterns inherent to the Native American style and how it relates to forms and techniques.

Junior Tasmiah Ishtiaque said, “It was great to see themes across cultures on different vase types.” Student Brett Karr added, “Cliff was informative; it really helped us understand the process.”

The workshop was kindly sponsored by the Garden City PTA. It was a wonderful workshop for students, giving them a meaningful and unique hands-on learning experience.