An Art Lesson

Using DVC to Teach Art

This lesson demonstrates how teachers can use DVC technology and the web to teach a full range of art concepts--including those dealing with 3-dimensional form.

Contents:

Lesson Plan Studying 3-Dimensional Artwork Assessment

Using DVC for teaching the coil pot building process the teacher can use both graphics and text as well as sound and video on a computer to introduce a new art process and concept to the class. Students, at their own computers, can examine and work through the multimedia data with the teacher as well as become familiar with the sequence of steps in the lesson before beginning work with the clay. Students could go back over and review any part of the process or if they had been absent reviewing would also help to familiarize them with the material they had missed. In addition, teachers can work collaboratively with other teachers on lesson plans and the development of educational multimedia using DVC technology.

The Lesson Plan:

Title: Introduction to Creating a Clay Coil Pot

Objective: To be able to build a clay coil pot that has the following criteria:
  • Control of media--demonstrates good craftsmanship.

  • Designed with specific function in mind--container, teapot, etc.

  • Emphasizes good design--unity, rhythm, form, and balance.

Materials:
    Clay--approximately 5 lbs.
    Cloth covered table or board.
    Plastic bag--large enough for storage of work in progress.
    Rolling pin.
    Clay slip and brush.
    Scoring and modeling tools.
    Small container of water to moisten hands.
    Circular base pattern--4" or 5" in diameter.

Sequence of Steps: (Demonstrated by Randall Bruce)


Make A Base

Flatten clay with rolling pin - 1/2" thick.
Use Pattern as Guide

Cut circle.
Create a Clay Coil
From a small ball - roll out clay until 1/2" thick with moistened hands.
Keep coil round as light rolling motion is used.
Joining Clay

Rough edge of base and coil with scoring tool.
Apply slip with brush to base.
Gently press coil to base.
Continue to Add Coils

Place next coil on top of first.
Use same joining method.
Shaping the Walls

The pot's shape may be curved outward or inward depending on placement of coils.

Surface Effects

Coils can be made smooth or left natural for different surface effects.

Assessment:

Student is able to:

  • Describe the coil pot building process and apply this understanding to creating an actual coil pot.

  • Demonstrate good craftsmanship through the final appearance and construction of the pot.

  • Create a coil pot that has a specific function like a teapot, water jar, etc.

  • Elaborate and evaluate how design principles such as unity, rhythm, and balance were utilized in designing the pot. Include perspectives from aesthetics and art criticism--refer to Getty ArtsEdNet below.

Related Links to Other Pottery Sites:

Getty ArtsEdNet
A critique of the ceramic coil artwork by Pueblo artist Roxanne Swentzell as viewed by an artist, aesthetician, art historian and art critic.

Elizabeth Abeyta, Navajo artist.

More Links to Native American Artwork

Minnesota Clay USA Gallery
This is a virtual gallery of contemporary clay pots.

Selvia's Art Cave
This is an award winning web site with an "art gallery" containing teapots, vases and sculptural ceramics. Take a look at the "Dys-Functional Pottery" of John Britt under The Artist.

Anagama: Photographs of Ancient Pottery
This site contains graphics of ancient pottery as well as a "virtual exhibition" of contemporary potters and their work.

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