John Jensen on wed 26 jun 02
This is probably not as simple an issue as it might seem. I can see
possibilities for abuse on both sides of the equation. I don't think either
students or teachers should use a school setting as a basis for a business.
On the other hand teachers should be free to use the facility to teach
without giving up the rights to their work. Perhaps if the art center were
employing the teachers full time and providing a living wage, health
insurance and retirement programs it might be reasonable for them to lay
claim to work created "on the job."
My own experience is that I rarely keep or try to sell anything I make in
a teaching context. I make demonstration pieces and usually destroy them.
Occasionally a piece becomes a model for something I might make to sell. I
keep a few pieces for demonstrating glazing and decoration. We used to have
an annual sale of seconds and I contributed all the demonstration pieces to
common good. But this sort of thing requires good will and trust all
around. Once one party or the other shows a lack of one or the other, all
bets are off....
John Jensen, Mudbug Pottery, Annapolis
mudbug@toad.net, www.Toadhouse.com
KLeSueur@AOL.COM on wed 26 jun 02
When I was teaching at a residential treatment center for boys I frequently made pots for sale in the pottery studio. Some were made in classes and some were made when no class was in session. I felt it was important for my students to learn that people could actually make money from the work they produced.
However, the proceeds from the sales of those pots went back into the program. I started with one wheel and a small electric kiln. By the time I left the school there were six wheels, three large kilns, and other equipment purchase with these funds.
The administration at the school was in complete agreement with this approach. A classroom should not be a substitute for the teacher's studio. But, I think it is important that demonstration pieces be taken through all stages of production so that the final result can be seen by all.
Kathi LeSueur
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