Instructor Cliff Mendelson conducted a Day In Clay for sixth graders at Garden City Middle School. After discussing the various Pueblo pottery examples he brought for students to view, the artist-in-residence demonstrated how to construct a similar coil pot in clay. This year the Garden City Middle School Art Department collaborated with the PTA Arts in Education program to bring guest artist Cliff Mendelson and his Day In Clay workshop to first-semester sixth grade art classes. The students learned about Native American Pueblo pottery inspired by renowned artist Maria Martinez and her pueblo hand-building coil techniques. They finished their pieces with acrylic paints by adding beautiful colors, patterns, and designs inspired by Pueblo art under the direction of art teachers, Mr. Fediw, Ms. Rousku, and Mr. Wilkoski.

Students and teachers were excited about learning the coil building process and working with clay to create an aesthetic and intricate work of art based on the culture of Pueblo Native Americans. “It was a great experience for the sixth grade to have an artist-in-residence present an art form that was relevant to their curriculum. Students were motivated to create a unique work and increase their understanding of Pueblo pottery-making. “I am so proud of my students,” commented teacher Lori Rousku, “and I truly appreciate the PTA Arts in Education for providing such great programs here at the middle school.”

After rolling clay coils, students added them to their pots to build the sides higher. Smoothing the coils on the inside, as this student demonstrated, held the work together and added strength.
Happy with his results, this sixth grader’s coil pot was ready for drying, firing, and painting.