Past projects 9
Can't Wait to Get Our Hands Dirty Again!
Funded Sep 18, 2024It is difficult to describe the excitement in the Art Studio when the kiln is unloaded and each student patiently (or sometimes less than patiently 🤣) waits to have their pieces handed back. It truly is reminiscent of the excitement of birthdays as a child.
The process takes a long time, and the anticipation builds. After creating a piece from clay, students have to wait a week for it to dry thoroughly and then for it to go into the kiln. Two weeks after creation, their pieces come back a different color, texture, and even size. At that point they carefully glaze each piece, making sure they've covered the entire thing three times. The following week, after a 2nd trip into the kiln, the magic is revealed.
They are so incredibly proud of their work. It absolutely makes my heart sing. I hear regularly from parents how important the ceramics program is to their children. Even better, sometimes I get 'love notes' from the students explaining how much they love ceramics. And yes, I keep every single one of them.
We could never do this without your generous and loving support. I truly can't thank you enough for helping to bring this unique and empowering experience to each and every one of them.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lisa
Time to Get Our Hands DIRTY!
Funded Sep 20, 2023I truly cannot thank you enough for your swift and generous donations. The students were a bit flabbergasted at the concept of complete strangers putting clay in their hands. Just that idea alone was magical.
The clay was back ordered because of supply chain issues. We all waited with such anticipation. When it finally arrived we couldn't wait to get our hands in it! Clay was our focus in the Art Studio for the last six weeks since its arrival.
Once a piece is created, it must dry for at least a week. That means two weeks before initial firing, in order to make sure the whole week's worth of students has a piece. After such time the pieces go into the kiln for 36 hours to a temperature of nearly 2000 degrees. I know, right?!
When the pieces come back to them, I here shrunk approx 8%. They have turned from grey to white, and instead of being soft and pliable, they are hard and make a plink sound instead of a squish. That is when the glazing happens. After glazing items can go into the kiln without wait time, to about 100 degrees less than the initial firing. That means that the following week, the students have their final shiny beautiful food and dishwasher safe pieces back!
I can't lie. They just about LOSE THEIR MINDS! When I arrive at school in the morning and open that kiln it feels like my birthday used to feel 😂. Seeing the faces of the students reaching for their carefully nurtured returned pieces.... Oy! I wish everyone in the world could see a moment like that.
Each student had an opportunity for two different projects in that short time period, assuring that even amidst absences everyone was able to take home at least one (or two or three or five!) piece to give (or keep!)
The students have been doing some super fun and adventurous individual projects this year. We had tiny houses with tiny furniture and windows that were cut out, and tiny tea lights put in to light them up for the holidays. And would you believe.... One even made a chia pet! Yes, we watched the old retro ads and they loved it.
They all went home for the various holidays with loving gifts made for family members, carefully nestled in their own hand made wrapping paper. I also encouraged them to wrap them up and open themselves as they deserve something special too!
It's impossible to put a price on the experiences that these kiddos have gotten to have. Again, we're the only NYC Public Elementary school with a ceramics program. This all along has only been made possible by a crazy dream and a whole lotta support.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. There aren't enough words.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lisa
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 43 other donors.Clay & Glaze & Kiln Accessories!
Funded Nov 26, 2022We are off to a running start in 2023 thanks to all of your generous donations!
The students have finished their projects from last year, and have gotten to use some of the amazing new glazes purchased for them. We now have so many new colors to use, and they are thrilled!
We have begun our new projects with the clay that was purchased thanks to Donor's Choose and all of your help. The students are now working on making mugs out of clay and can't wait to be able to drink out of them when they are finished. The excitement on their faces is just priceless!
Again, thank you so much for your generosity. Word cannot describe the positive impact that these donations have had on them. Please enjoy their photos... they are so proud!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lisa
This classroom project was brought to life by The Walt Disney Company and 2 other donors.We Love Clay!
Funded Nov 22, 2022We are off to a running start in 2023 thanks to all of your generous donations!
The students have finished their projects from last year, and have gotten to use some of the amazing new glazes purchased for them. We now have so many new colors to use, and they are thrilled!
We have begun our new projects with the clay that was purchased thanks to Donor's Choose and all of your help. The students are now working on making mugs out of clay and can't wait to be able to drink out of them when they are finished. The excitement on their faces is just priceless!
Again, thank you so much for your generosity. Word cannot describe the positive impact that these donations have had on them. Please enjoy their photos... they are so proud!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lisa
This classroom project was brought to life by The Walt Disney Company and 4 other donors.Keeping Our Hands Dirty!
Funded Sep 14, 2022I am amazed at how quickly our request was granted.... And even more delighted by how quickly our materials arrived! We have already begun to dig our fingers in that soft cool clay. Somehow is brings everyone the same feeling.... Relaxation.
By the end of the week each student will have completed their first pieces. After creation, pieces dry for a week before going into the kiln at nearly 2000 degrees. Once cooled, we apply glaze to our pieces. Back in the kiln they go, though at about 100 degrees less. Once cooled, they're ready to go home!
All of our pieces are food and drink safe. They can go in the oven, dishwasher, etc. I With you could see the excitement! Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lisa
Keep the 'Fire' Alive for our Ceramics Program!
Funded Sep 18, 2017It is impossible for me to describe how much darn fun we are having!!!! What a mess we are making!!!!! And of course how much we are learning, sharing, and growing.
The best part of it is that we have such a beautiful amount of clay. When a child asks me if s/he can have more, I get to say the best word in the English language.... YES!!! You can have as much as you'd like! And their eyes simply light up.
Our biggest project this year has been coil pots. Photos are shown on the website. Some students have chosen to make theirs enormous! We are so appreciating our good fortune as their pots and imaginations are growing sky high. Did I mention how much fun that we are having?
Again I am watching some of our most troubled students shine when we do ceramics. There is something about digging restless fingers into that calm, cool earth that soothes the soul. To watch that happen for our students is magical. I am so thrilled to provide a space for them in which they feel some comfort and peace.
Thank you, from the bottoms of our hearts to the tips of our dirty fingertips, for your generosity and love. I only wish I could truly convey the impact that your have made on the lives of these tiny humans. We are so incredibly grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lisa
Bring Our Dream Ceramics Program to LIFE!
Funded Dec 21, 2016We have finally finished our projects!
The excitement is clear in the eyes of the students when they first see this magical material. The first day was an introduction to clay. Next they made basic, small pinch pots. The pots need to dry for at least 5 days. We then finally had our first successful firing in our donated, revamped kiln that I've affectionately named Bertha. The students couldn't believe how much their clay transformed from treenware to bisque after being exposed to a long 12 1/2 firing process, which reached temperatures of over 1900 degree F!
Next step is glazing. The glaze looks so much different at this point than it will after firing it to cone 05. Right now it goes on in looking like a chalky pastel. When they come out of our glaze firing they are shiny and bright, with glassy glossy finish!
I've seen the glistening in the eyes of the delighted students. One in particular really stands out. We have a student that I will call 'Hayden' for the sake of privacy (unfortunately, his mother isn't very accessible and has not signed a photo release form, despite several requests). He struggles enormously in school. His behavior issues have caused him to lose so many privileges, including eating in the lunch room with other students. He came to our first ceramics class last period on a Friday, straight from a birthday celebration, hyped up on sugar from cupcakes. It was a recipe for disaster. When I finally settled them all and handed out the clay, I looked at 'Hayden'. He plunged his fingers into that soft cool white soothing earth, and I watched him transform. His shoulders dropped. His face calmed. His entire demeanor was a complete and utter transformation. He then made a gorgeous smooth pot, finishing before anyone else. When he was finished, 'Hayden' proceeded to, without being asked, walk around and help the other students with their pots. I have never seen anything like it. This trouble little soul is just an artist trapped inside his own body. His final piece was stunning, and he was so incredibly proud of it.
There are numerous platitudes out there about, as a teacher, what it means to reach at least one student. We were able to live that moment here, and countless others, thanks to your amazingly generous time and donations. I only wish you all could be here to see it.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lisa
Time To Get Messy With Clay, And Shiny With Glaze!
Funded Jan 1, 2017We have finally finished our projects!
The excitement is clear in the eyes of the students when they first see this magical material. The first day was an introduction to clay. Next they made basic, small pinch pots. The pots need to dry for at least 5 days. We then finally had our first successful firing in our donated, revamped kiln that I've affectionately named Bertha. The students couldn't believe how much their clay transformed from greenware to bisque after being exposed to a long 12 1/2 firing process, which reached temperatures of over 1900 degree F!
Next step is glazing. The glaze looks so much different at this point than it will after firing it to cone 05. Right now it goes on in looking like a chalky pastel. When they come out of our glaze firing they are shiny and bright, with glassy glossy finish!
I've seen the glistening in the eyes of the delighted students. One in particular really stands out. We have a student that I will call 'Jayden' for the sake of privacy (unfortunately, his mother isn't very accessible and has not signed a photo release form, despite several requests). He struggles enormously in school. His behavior issues have caused him to lose so many privileges, including eating in the lunch room with other students. He came to our first ceramics class last period on a Friday, straight from a birthday celebration, hyped up on sugar from cupcakes. It was a recipe for disaster. When I finally settled them all and handed out the clay, I looked at 'Jayden'. He plunged his fingers into that soft cool white soothing earth, and I watched him transform. His shoulders dropped. His face calmed. His entire demeanor was a complete and utter transformation. He then made a gorgeous smooth pot, finishing before anyone else. When he was finished, 'Jayden' proceeded to, without being asked, walk around and help the other students with their pots. I have never seen anything like it. This trouble little soul is just an artist trapped inside his own body. His final piece was stunning, and he was so incredibly proud of it.
There are numerous platitudes out there about, as a teacher, what it means to reach at least one student. We were able to live that moment here, and countless others, thanks to your amazingly generous time and donations. I only wish you all could be here to see it.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lisa
Bring Our Dream Ceramics Program to LIFE!
Funded Dec 11, 2016We have finally begun our projects! We won't have completed work to show for another week, as these projects take lots of time and love. Our first step was an introduction to the clay. You can see the excitement in the eyes of the students when they first see this magical material. Next they made basic, small pinch pots. The pots need to dry for at least 5 days. We then finally had our first successful firing in our donated, revamped kiln that I've affectionately named Bertha. The students couldn't believe how much their clay transformed from greenware to bisque after being exposed to a long 12 1/2 firing process, which reached temperatures of over 1900 degree F!
Next step is glazing. You can see in the photos some of the students applying the glaze to their bisque fired pieces. The glaze looks so much different at this point than it will after firing it to cone 05. Right now it goes on in looking like a chalky pastel. When they come out of our glaze firing they will be shiny and bright, with glassy glossy finish! That is when the real excitement will begin. I simply can't wait!
I've seen the glistening in the eyes of the delighted students. One in particular really stands out. We have a student that I will call 'Jayden' for the sake of privacy. He struggles enormously in school. His behavior issues have caused him to lose so many privileges, including eating in the lunch room with other students. He came to our first ceramics class last period on a Friday, straight from a birthday celebration, hyped up on sugar from cupcakes. It was a recipe for disaster. When I finally settled them all and handed out the clay, I looked at 'Jayden'. He plunged his fingers into that soft cool white soothing earth, and I watched him transform. His shoulders dropped. His face calmed. His entire demeanor was a complete and utter transformation. He then made a gorgeous smooth pot, finishing before anyone else. When he was finished, 'Jayden' proceeded to, without being asked, walk around and help the other students with their pots. I have never seen anything like it. This trouble little soul is just an artist trapped inside his own body. There are numerous platitudes out there about, as a teacher, what it means to reach at least one student. We were able to live that moment here, and countless others, thanks to your amazingly generous time and donations. I only wish you all could be here to see it.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lisa