Scott Harrison on sat 30 sep 06
Folks,
Thanks for all the responses! Gave me some things to ponder.
Initially I think I was feeling like Mel's comments and I would never
have "dove" in High School or College for somebody else's work. I
remember when I was at Humboldt State in the late 70's standing
outside the dumpster with a hammer making short work of all the pots
I had made earlier in the year because now I was so much better. I
have used left over pots for glazing tests at times and demos but
most of the pieces left over are kind of doggy and is probably why
they got left behind. Lili's comments hit home about the parental
responses and I have seen plenty in my 28 years in the classroom.
Also the comment about launching the pieces into the parking lot was
right on the money. Some kids wanted pieces to use like clay pigeons
as we live in a rural area!
Scott Harrison
South Fork High School
Humboldt Redwoods CA
On Sep 30, 2006, at 12:52 PM, Lili Krakowski wrote:
> Scott: it is NOT that there are worse things than bad pots in
> landfills! It
> is that there are worse things than bad pots in people's homes!
>
> I do not teach children , but a friend who does told me this
> heartbreaking
> bit once: that there are children SO stomped on, put down,
> humiliated,
> denigrated and then some at home that they throw out or discard
> things they
> make because they know that they would be greeted at home with: "I
> do not
> want that (*&)(*^*& in my living room!" "Well, that is pretty good
> for YOU,
> but your sister Mitsy, now THERE'S an artist." "Is this )(*(^&
> what my
> school taxes go up every year for?" and worse. Much worse.
>
> I think you need to assume that some children do not take their
> pots home to
> avoid pain. Maybe you can figure out who they are and offer their
> pots to
> the cafeteria or somesuch. Ms Priddy was BRILLIANT to suggest
> Empty Bowls!
> And you can make those children feel special in a positive way.
>
> BUT one more thing. Some years ago there was a wonderful "Comment" in
> "Ceramics Monthly" by a well-known potter who visited other similar
> potters, as well as ceramic colleges. He would dumpster dive and
> take
> stuff home. The point of his piece was that people are not
> necessarily the
> best judges of their own work...etc etc. So maybe as well YOU
> could select
> some of the stuff and have your classes critique/criticize
> them....design,
> function, etc. That'll get them ready to discuss pottery jurying
> any of the
> three times it comes up yearly on ClayArt!
>
> Meanwhile: in any case; using them for demos, and letting people
> practice
> glazing with them is good.
>
>
>
> Lili Krakowski
> Be of good courage
>
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