The day of the workshop:                                                                          

I like to touch base before the event to coordinate any thoughts and ideas to make the day go smoothly.  It is important for me  to speak or have some contact with the arts teachers especially if I will be using their art room space for the program.

I will be bringing all the materials, (clay, tools, and boards) floor or table protection depending on the program, unless other wise stated on the contract. 

PA Announcement:

All teachers who are bringing their classes to the art room for the event should be informed to be on time and that its a special program.   An announcement should also be made in the morning to invite any teachers or staff members to the day in clay program as many adults love to witness  the program as well.

Wheel demonstration:

I will need a table or two for my hands on demonstration.  A sink and enough chairs so everyone can sit in a semi circle around me, I often need to consolidate the tables to the back of the room or wherever to maximize the visibility of the demo and flow in to the room. It will be important to have about 12 feet of distance between me and the students chairs so when they all come up to get a close up view they will have the necessary open  space to gather around.

Hands on program :

Since the classes will be short and the next class follows it will be good to have some help in handing out the clay and cutting it into balls in between the sessions. This way after my introduction and demonstration they can get right to work.  I will have them work on a piece of cardboard. They will need markers. They will put their name and class # written on it, for later identification.    I will have some various visuals laid out on the table or the walls  (pottery, posters, hand outs and imagery of patterns and symbols) to look at regarding the Culture that we will be focusing on.

It would help if you have any cardboard (like boxes) that can be cut up into 6 - 8 inch squares sometimes the maintenance people have some.

Room preparations for the Wheel program for the teachers:

The room is usually set up in a semi circle of chairs around me and I usually position my wheel near the sink or to the side.  I do not like students sitting on the floor. Its a bad angle to view the presentation.   See photo (stony point and )

• Clean off all tables.
• Clear off some counter space. Consolidate some of the misc stuff in the room as much as possible.
• Clean sink area
• Available rolling cart
• Area to hang posters
•  

Space considerations:

One main consideration that you will know how to orchestrate the best will be Space/storage!  If every student is making a piece then we are looking at about 100 - 200 pieces.  That is allot of work to store and dry till they can paint them and take them home.  Sometimes the PTA people do not realize the need for storage.  So if you have any shelves or rolling carts available that would be great as well.. The arts teacher will need some time to organize the areas that might be used for storage, i.e. shelves around the room counters cabinets...  If not you will need to find a space outside the room to store the work before it is dry enough to paint or fire.

Unloading supplies:

I will also need a substantial rolling cart  (preferably a flat bed type dolly) ,to be available by the entrance 2 hours before the actual event to bring all my materials in from  my van to the art room/courtyard/auditorium/ multipurpose room... or where ever I will be setting up...  Preferably a room with no stairs to access.

Click to download "What is in a day - preliminary information"

Teachers please view photos below to understand better how to set up the room for a day in clay program.