Vocabulary:    draped slab, slab pinch, coil , press mold slip , score leatherhard           bone dry           bisque, fire, kiln underglaze glaze, patina carve, incise,  stamp

Materials:   Pre-Columbian art hand-outs   cardboard tubes -- newspapers      plaster face molds -- plastic bags     clay --- rolling pins, guide sticks     canvas -- slip dishes  ceramic modeling tools assorted stamps assorted  texture “gadgets” glazes, underglazes, paints   Shown: Mayan Ceramic

Resources:

Assorted pictures of Pre-Columbian Ceramics - Teacher made PowerPoint
Mayan Internet Lesson: http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/maya.htm
Pre-Columbian Ceramics: http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/effigy.htm 
Fro contemporary Mexican Storyteller figures, see:  Fantastic Figures: Oaxacan Ceramic Folk Art - Featuring the work of Josefina Aquilar (Crizmac Video - 30 minutes)

Motivation/Instruction:

1. Video: Introduction to Pre-Columbian Art - discuss

2. Video: Maya - Blood of Kings (show selections) - discuss

3. Show PowerPoint of Mayan and other Pre-Columbian Ceramics - Students begin drawings

4. Demonstrate forming techniques 

5. Internet lesson to learn more about the culture

Alternate lesson: Contemporary Mexican Storyteller

1. Video: Fantastic Figures: Oaxacan Ceramic Folk Art - Featuring the work of Josefina Aquilar (Crizmac Video - 30 minutes)

2. Show PowerPoint of Pre-Columbian figures along with contemporary folk art figures.

3. Demonstrate forming techniques - draped slabs.

Preparation:                                                              

1.    Make sketch of portrait vessel.  Show Pre-Columbian characteristics-- or may make someone from "Our Town" -- show characteristic of our culture -- What would an archeologist learn if they were to unearth your vessel one thousand years from now?

2.    Wrap outside of cardboard tube with newspapers as a separator.

Procedures:

1.               Roll slab of clay between guide sticks.  Slabs should be approximately 3/8” thick. Wrap slab around tube.  Fuse seam by scoring and applying slip.

2.               Press a slab of clay into face mold.  Fuse face to body cylinder.  Face may be sculpted more when leather hard. (face molds were made from doll faces)

3.                Roll slab for base.  Fuse onto cylinder.  Score and apply slip.

4.                Carve, incise, or stamp additional textures into cylinder.  Add on relief coils, slab decorations and clothes as desired.

5.               Add features to face.  Make a self-portrait if desired (see example)  or show Pre-Columbian features (see hand-outs and display) 

6.                 Make thick coil arms and legs.  Apply to vessel by scoring and adding slip to both surfaces

7.                Add any additional relief elements (clothing, headdresses, jewelry etc.), textures (hair, stamps, carving) or objects.  Remember to score and slip any added objects

8.                 You may form into a rattle by putting small pieces of clay inside and closing top.  There must be a small whole left somewhere or rattle will explode in kiln.

Criteria for grade:

originality-design          
shows Pre-Columbian influence            
surface decoration                               
craftsmanship 
glazing-aesthetics craftsmanship    

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