Thursday, October 12, 2023
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 ExamplesStudent Examples
Monday, December 5, 2022
TEXTURED COIL DESIGNS
Textured Coil Designs
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Textured Coil Designs using ceramic techniques learned in class
- Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and texture (actual, implied, visual) inspired by American Potter (2000-Present) Jim Irvine
- Use hand building techniques (scoring, slipping, blending, coiling) and design principles (composition, proportion, movement) based on American Art
- Define Coil (long form of clay rolled into a cylinder to produce pottery or structures)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Bud Vase (2013) Jim Irvine
2. Read Clay Contemporary Ceramics Artisans by Thames & Hudson
3. Discussion Questions "What is clay? Where does it come from? How do we use clay? How did other cultures use clay in their everyday lives? How do other cultures use clay in their everyday lives? How did we create our designs? What hand building techniques did we use? What could our designs be used for? Can functional sculptures be considered art? What new art did we learn? What could clay coils be used for? How do different cultures use coil to make ceramics? How old is the technique of making coil pots? What is the major advantage of using coils, as opposed to other methods? What are some countries that employ this technique? How would you compare the coil pot method versus the pinch pot method? why are coil pots of such importance in other cultures?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use 12 X 15 Slab Slab Sheets
2. Use three compositional elements (shape, color, texture) to represent a memory, place, or event from everyday life
3. Use line variation (wavy, straight, curved) as a design principle (balance, movement, repetition) within the Textured Coil Designs
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Textured Coil Designs for Assigned Table
2. Arts Alive Festival (2015) Jim Irvine
3. Discussion Questions "How many lines are in this painting? Do you like this sculpture? Why do you think this artist was interested in making ceramic work? What do you think the sculpture is trying to tell us about the artist? What emotion do you think the artist is trying to convey in this sculpture? What do you feel when looking at this artwork? Does this sculpture make you feel calm?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use compass, protractor, and texture plates to add symmetrical shapes and expressive lines to the coil designs
2. Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the coil designs
3. Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Textured Coil Designs
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Textured Coil Designs for Assigned Table
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 coil designs
2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the coil designs
3. Apply Gloss Finish to the positive space (features, decorations, accessories) of the Textured Coil Designs

























