by Robert Fountain III TOW UFSD Art Teacher, K–12
Kneeling on the dock from left: Beck Sessions, Mary Roach, Caroline Defilipes, Olivia Phaneuf, Chelby Simpson, Chloe Brosemer, Ally Cooper. Middle row/on the diving board: Mara Gaffney, Carys Jones, Kayla Yuckel, West Tickner, Sarah Branch, Katie Connell, Megan Green, Lexie Haehl, Shelby Egnaczyk, Hallie Christadaro, Kennedy Scott, and Jodi Bolton. Standing back row: Kerry Kipp, Allson Williams, Mr. Fountain, Tom Lindsay, Camry Liddle, Lauren Holt, and Ethan Kress.
Art students at Town of Webb Union Free School District enrolled in my Studio, Ceramics, and Independent art classes performed a Native American Pit Firing and created Natural Sculpture builds at Adirondack Woodcraft Camps on Friday, June 1st. We were joined by chaperone Tim Leach.
It was our third year of taking the trip to Woodcraft Camps.
Pit Firing is a Native Ameri-can-inspired method of ceramic firing that creates unpredictable smoke patterns on the work’s surface.
First, students completed the traditional coil build of their hand-sized pieces with Buff High Fire Clay as it is stronger than typical White Clay and can withstand the thermal shock involved in a quick burning pit fire.
Once the piece became “bone dry” or Greenware, Terra Sigillata—generally translated as “sealed-earth”—was applied. Terra Sigillata is similar to glaze, but different in a few distinctive ways.
It consists of an incredibly small amount of liquid plate-like particles that remain after days of water evaporation from a clay and water mixture.
Sodium silicate is used as a deflocculant to separate the clay particles and water into tiny plate-like particles within a large container.
The water is poured off from the top and only a skimming of useful Terra Sigillata is the result.
After being polished by hand and bisque fired, the work was then placed within a 3x3x4 foot pit that was generously dug at Woodcraft Camps by Mr. Dave Leach.
Upon our arrival that morning we began preparing the firing pit. First, it was lined with eight inches of sawdust in which all 25 pieces were carefully nestled into. Secondly, 12 inches of paper shreds were layered on top of the work to cushion and protect it throughout the firing.
The third step in the pit preparation consists of layering kindling on top of the paper shreds. Students carefully filled the pit with some dry split wood and surrounding brush. Tom Lindsay, Kerry Kipp, and Ethan Kress had the honor of lighting the pit this year.
The pit burned at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees for approximately four hours. Once the fire was reduced to a thick bed of blazing hot coals students carefully maneuvered with long sticks through the coals to expose their ceramic work. Each and every piece retrieved from the firing was unique, dynamic, and successful with no two pieces alike.
A Pit Firing encompasses a vast array of uncontrollable variables. Thankfully for the third year in a row all worked in our favor!
While the ceramic work fired within the glowing flames and scorching coals, students worked in groups to construct Andy Goldsworthy-influenced sculptures around the Woodcraft grounds. Goldsworthy is a British sculptor, photographer, and environmentalist living in Scotland who produces site-specific sculptures and land art situated in natural settings.
Students were introduced to him through viewing his award-winning documentary film, “Rivers and Tides.” He regards all of his creations as fleeting and photographs each piece upon completion. His goal is to understand nature by creating within it as intimately as possible.
His art involves the use of natural and found objects, to create both temporary and permanent sculptures that draw out the character of their environment.
The students and I anxiously scouted the weather for days in hopes of sunshine and blue skies. Mother Nature provided record heat and brilliant sunshine for a great potluck lunch.
Many students attended the trip for the first time and others are seasoned veterans that look forward to this day all year. This educational field trip was an exceptional success and an experience that will remain in students’ minds forever.
Thank you to principal Swick and Mr. Leach at Woodcraft Camps for permitting this opportunity for year number three. I would like to take this time to thank Superintendent Germer, administration, staff, students, and the entire Town of Webb community for a third year of teaching that has passed by in flash. I look forward to many more years of serving as the Fine Arts educator of your children.
I encourage you and your family to view art student passion at its finest at www.towschool.org. Please click the “Jr/ Sr Departments” tab found at the top of the page and then “Art”. You will find a variety of slideshows encompassing the Pit Firing field trip, VIEW student show, other field trips, student work, and daily K-12 fun within the art room!
