Nurturing Creative Expression with The Clay Studio

A student focuses on the details of his coil bowl, which will then be fired by The Clay Studio.

Fostering creative expression is at the essence of Children's Village's approach and thanks to a partnership with The Clay Studio, our school-age students are using the tactile medium of clay to nurture imagination, critical thinking, and persistence. The Clay Studio's professional teaching artists are leading lessons via Zoom on the basics of hand building with clay.  Every School-Age Program (k-6th) classroom is participating, with the six weekly 45-minute sessions tailored to the age and ability of the students.

"Most of the students have never worked with this medium before and this opportunity allows children to explore clay with guidance by professional artists. The children are learning how clay responds to different types of manipulations.  Rolling, squeezing, stretching, pinching, and poking the clay also develops fine motor skills.  Once their creations are fired in the kiln, the students will witness how the heat transforms the clay.  We are thrilled that our School-Age students of all ages are benefiting from this incredible creative learning opportunity with The Clay Studio," says Eileen Flannery, School Age and Staffing Director.

Teacher Franz Cruz (standing) assists the children during the artists' instructional sessions. Children's Village uses projectors connected to computers to display the lessons. The Clay Studio also provides materials for each student.

(Slide shows, below) The students are also exploring air dry clay, shaping blocks of clay into animal heads and other figures, allowing them to dry, and then painting them to complete the creation. After the students create their coil bowls and name plates, The Clay Studio will pick them up, fire them, and return them to the students at Children's Village. (Second slide show, below) View some of the fired coil bowls! To view more of the children’s artwork, visit our website Art Gallery !

 The Clay Studio selected Children's Village to participate in the program at no cost given our role as a School-Age Remote Learning Access Center.  The Clay Studio received a grant for the program from The William Penn Foundation.

Teacher Mimi Manley assists students as they work with their air dry clay creations.