CLAY COIL BEEHIVES

 Clay Coil Beehives

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Clay Coil Beehive using sculpture techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), form (two dimensional, three dimensional), and texture (actual, visual, implied) inspired by American Artist (2014-Present) Matthew Willey
• Use hand building techniques (pinch pottery, coil building, slab building) and design principles (proportion, scale, repetition) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Coil (creating a form with long, rope shaped piece of clay)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Piper's Corner School (2019) Matthew Willey

2. Read Beehive Jorey Hurley

3. Discussion Questions "What can we make with these materials? What if we made something found in nature? What if it was a habitat for an insect? How do artists make something look three dimensional when the material is flat? What might be going on in the secret world of the beehive? If you had an opportunity to peek inside, would the bees be going to school? If you could peek inside the beehive, would the bees be living in a house, or would it be a huge birthday party? What do you think happens inside a beehive? How does the artist choose mural locations? How can schools participate in the initiative? What are you curious about as we embark on a journey to learn more about the daily lives of these insects? Where do bees live and how do these bees build their hives? Do all bees build honeycomb hives?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use 12 X 15 Clay Slab Sheets

2. Use three compositional elements (shape, color, texture) to represent a memory, place, or event from everyday life

3. Use line variation (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) as a design principle (balance, movement, repetition) within the Clay Coil Beehives

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Clay Coil Beehives for Assigned Tables

2. Janney Elementary (2018) Matthew Willey

3. Discussion Questions "Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Why do artists need to understand how to represent form in art? What is the history of form in art? What is considered geometric or organic in art? What are honeybees and how do they differ from others? Why are bumblebees considered good pollinators? Did you know that only honeybees produce honey in harvestable qualities? How do bees communicate with each other? Are some bees in danger of extinction? How do bees find their way back to their hives? How do these murals bring awareness to the plight of honeybees? How do artists help to change the world in a positive way?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use compass, protector, and texture plates to add symmetrical shapes and expressive lines to the beehive designs

2. Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the beehive designs

3. Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Clay Coil Beehives

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Clay Coil Beehives for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (tempera paint, water bucket, paint brushes)

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the beehive designs 

2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the beehive designs 

3. Apply Gloss Finish to the positive space (features, decorations, accessories) of the Clay Coil Beehives

Artist Examples

Student Examples