Richard Jeffery on mon 24 jun 02
Alisa
this is an old post, I know - I wonder if you would mind contacting me off
list to share some more details about the workshop you did. I have recently
been working (occasional day job as a consultant to the training industry)
with the Careers Service in Somerset, UK, helping them develop a similar
programme across the county. "challenging behaviour" most of these kids are
described as having... but we're talking about the same thing.
I passed your last post on to the scheme manager, who sounded quite
interested, and was going to discuss the idea with her colleagues. I'm not
sure about the wood burning kiln bit, but the rest sounds good. I'm really
interested in some of the planning things, like "how many hours per session,
over how many days", as well as the "what were the problems" type stuff - if
you are happy to share that.
hope you are enjoying the late sun and the beach fires...
cheers
Richard
richard.jeffery@theeleventhhour.co.uk
Richard Jeffery
Web Design and Photography
www.theeleventhweb.co.uk
Bournemouth UK
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Alisa Liskin Clausen
Sent: 13 June 2002 11:05
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Building self esteem with Raku firings
Dear Clayart,
The past two weeks I have joined a group of teachers out at a farm called
Kvistgård. There are three studios there, one for
painting, one for ceramics and one for glass. The school is supported by
the county. It is a place where teachers and psycologists
work together with a group of young adults. Most of these young people have
had a tough time, mostly because being a child had
not guarenteed them a childhood. They have very little to no self esteem
and the school works with them over a period of 6 months
to 2 years, to build them up towards a happy adulthood and a functioning
lifestyle.
Kvistgard asked me to teach some workshops for the daily students. I
thought about what could ignite and hold interest.
Raku.
It worked, worked so well, that I feel so much for pride these young people
and how solid they felt the days we worked together.
We built up work for Raku, anyway they wanted to work. All handbuilt. We
started with pinching, did coils, and some moved on
to stiff slab work. They all really liked Steve's toothbrush lutting
technique! I had Steven's book to pass around plus a really basic Raku
hobby book. From the hobby book, they could get ideas for simple stencils
to build work from and decorative ideas. Steven's book showed
them what to expect when we fired.
Along side our clay work, one of the teachers and some of the students built
a wood firing raku kiln next to the studio. The students
took turns day by day, either building the kiln or studio work.
This was one of best experiences I have had working with a group of people.
The exciting process and immediate results are really something
to blow a great swoosh of enthusiasm and self worth into these young adults.
In addition, they dealt very reasonably with the losses.
Enthusiasm, positive reinforcement and praise. They earned it. Great days
out there and I look forward to continued work with them.
regards from Alisa in Denmark
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