A “cool” project helped to warm
hearts this holiday season when Rowan College of South Jersey’s (RCSJ) Clay
College held its annual holiday workshop, creating pottery snowmen under the
guidance of studio technician and instructor Lisa Weatherill.
Twenty-nine staff and local
community members collected their snowman kits at the Arts & Innovation
Center in Millville before attending the Nov. 6 two-hour, online workshop.
Snowman forms, previously thrown on
a pottery wheel, were covered in plastic to keep the clay soft and pliable
until the day of the workshop. Extra clay and underglaze paints were also provided
in the kit to add a personal touch to the decorations. Following the workshop,
participants called to schedule a drop off time to have the snowmen fired and
glazed in the College’s kiln.
“This workshop was a lesson on
‘score and slip,’ the process of joining two pieces of clay together,” said Weatherill.
“Participants score (roughen the surface), slip (paint on liquid clay that acts
like glue) and blend the pieces together so they don’t pop off.”
RCSJ Clay College studio instructor Lisa Weatherill (top, second from left) demonstrates the art of pottery snowman making during an online workshop.
"Although
we are a bit out of our comfort zone teaching art online, I have been pleased
to see the success of the online live workshops,” stated RCSJ Fine Art Director
Jackie Sandro-Greenwell. “It's a great activity for friends and families to
enjoy together in the safety of their homes. We are planning to continue the
online live option even after the pandemic."
RCSJ’s Arts and Innovation Center
is home to the Creative Arts department and Clay College. The studio and
gallery include a state-of-the-art ceramic studio complete with 15 pottery
wheels, a glaze room, 4 kilns and two 3-D ceramic printers. It is the only
ceramic studio within a 50-mile radius.
In January, Clay College will host
two online pottery workshops:
- Friday,
Jan. 15 — Chip and Dip, 6 – 8 p.m.
- Friday,
Jan. 22 — Heart Tray, 6 – 8 p.m.
For more information or to register,
email Randy Wilfong at [email protected] or visit https://bit.ly/ClayCollegeRCSJ. Private group classes are also available.
Rowan College of South Jersey’s Arts
& Innovation Center is located at 321 High Street in Millville.
