Ceramic Educators

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Comment by Adam Rogers on February 19, 2009 at 9:08am

Ok folks,
I've decided to dig a pit for recyclying my clay. Any suggestions on how to do this? Do's and don'ts? Or do I just dig a big hole??
Ta,
Adam

Comment by gillian mercer on February 17, 2009 at 4:54pm

Hi everyone, I bought a new electric kiln locally last year, front loading with coils, works well except it is not auto thermostat and have to manually change the temp every 40 mins or so. I can find out the suppliers if anyone wants, it came from an Art supplier in Beijing South. They had technicians install it so tehy must have someone to replace the coils etc. I might have to email the Chinese names.

How do i put photos on this site?

Comment by Mary A Steggles, Art Hist Prof on February 17, 2009 at 9:07am

On another note, one year's dry clay could be put in the hole and watered and covered for the next year's class. The Chinese porcelain masters would actually make the porcelain and bury it for use by the next generation because it was so much better. Just think if you buried a bunch and another art teacher - in the future - found that clay. They would be over the moon!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Mary A Steggles, Art Hist Prof on February 17, 2009 at 9:04am

I think behaviour management is a good idea! You could also prepare the clay at the beginning of the school year on and off for use in the spring. This might help. Otherwise, dig a hole, put the clay in it, fill it with water, cover it and check it in a year!!!!!!

Comment by Adam Rogers on February 17, 2009 at 9:03am

Thanks for that,
Yeah, I had started to go through that process a couple of years ago...but it was SOOOOO time consuming...with so much other things to get through it just wasn't practical...maybe I'll use it as part of my behaviour managment policy:)

Comment by Mary A Steggles, Art Hist Prof on February 17, 2009 at 9:02am

Adam and friends, I was just thinking/pondering the dilemma the modern world with all of its handy devices has caused in teaching ceramics. One thing that I did with a colleague was to devise a course that was called Clay as Art. And the first unit was to completely avoid any modern tools or equipment (save for the clay but we could have also gathered local clay but the processing time would have taken longer than the course). The students studied early ceramics: Jomon pots, pots from Africa, from Mexico and other traditional societies and then they made their own 'kit'. They had to make brushes using plant and animal materials, scrapers, etc. They were NOT allowed to use plastic, etc. Then they had to do sketches and then work in the spirit of the traditional potters doing a master study. Each of the pieces was fired in a 'primitive' (I hate that word) pit kiln. Fabulous exercise and gets them involved in research and looking, creating and doing and thinking. Good luck!

Comment by Mary A Steggles, Art Hist Prof on February 17, 2009 at 8:41am

Hi Adam,

Recycling clay! Good for you. This is where you can really get those students of yours exercising. You need to break up the clay. This is where the students come in. Let them hit it, pound it, jump on it, whatever it takes. Then you need to put it somewhere. Big tubs, a big hole in the ground lined with plastic, whatever. Put water all over it. OK. This does take some patience. You can't expect to have clay right away. You can, if there are lingering bits of junk, sieve it. Window screen is good. I also used something not unlike mosquito netting once. You should have lots of that around. Screen it. Let it sit for a bit. I am not a chemist but it makes the clay nice. You can then pour it onto plaster slabs. The plaster pulls the water out. Then let the kids knead it, roll it in plaster, put it in a big bin that is damp, cover. Use. -------- If you have done all of this already, I apologize. It is the breaking down, soaking, and patience that seem to work. I once recall we also did this in a tiny tot's swimming pool! Good luck.

Comment by Adam Rogers on February 17, 2009 at 8:18am

Gday folks,
I've been teaching Ceramics for the past 5 years down here in Thailand and am having troubles recycling clay. We have a teeny tiny pug...and thats about it. Any suggestions?

Comment by Joan Lueth on February 17, 2009 at 8:01am

Thanks for the reminder on Oaxaca pots. Yes, the novelty factor is still there in working with this black clay thing, I think I'll work it in to some sketchbook research. Interestingly enough, this clay that looks just like plastic coal before firing, is terra-cotta colored as bisqueware.

Comment by Mary A Steggles, Art Hist Prof on February 17, 2009 at 6:10am

OK. Shimpo Corporation has merged with another one and there are kilns in the catalogue. Go to this site: http://www.shimpoceramics.com/ and download a catalogue.

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