Children from Henley School had the opportunity to experience a day in a potter’s studio at Craft Potters in Hope last week.
The school had arranged seven classes, each with 28 students, to visit the Ranzau Rd studio to experience first-hand the process of working with clay and enjoy the opportunity to make their own unique creations. Plenty of imaginative pieces were produced.
Samantha Hickman, teacher at Henley School, says the children have used many different mediums to complete the art section of their middle school learning and this term she wanted them to work with clay.
“We wanted to children to experience what it was to create something in a real potters studio, to see and be inspired by other creations and to work with the talented group of craft potters.”
“The children were inspired by the demonstrations and were given free rein to get creative and their imaginations.
“Children were shown how to keep the clay moist, use tools to make pattern and imprints and how to attach pieces together so that when they are fired the piece stay together.”
Craft Potter tutor, Rita Edgar, enjoyed the experience and seeing the children work through their projects.
“The kids are all so different, some find it hard to express what they want, others find it easy. They were all so fantastically behaved too, and I think that is a real credit to the teachers. They work so well together and sharing the tools.
“I think the process teaches the children to listen to instructions, planning or how to plan, and decision-making skills.”