Three New Videos Online!

Demo 5A Throwing Bowls, Demo 5B Trimming Bowls and Thrown Feet, and Demo 6 Pulling and Attaching Handles are now online! We are currently editing down Demo 7 Stacked Vases and Composite Forms, Demo 12 Throwing and Trimming Plates & Platters, and Demo 14 Using Shellac Resist on Bone Dry Work. Check back tomorrow for these new topics!

I start teaching my tenth ART 142: Introduction to Pottery class on Monday. I am very excited to begin utilizing the video demonstrations as a component of class. I teach 4 classes every semester and have a large number of non-traditional students with full time jobs and kids in addition to student atheletes and firefighters. If a student misses a demonstration, needs a refresher, or would like to "get ahead" in class, I can simply refer them to the video demos. Instead of repeating each demonstration 2-3 times in each class, time can be better spent covering new topics. (3 classes x 10 demos x 2 repeats for absent student = at least 60 redundant demonstrations!)

My ART 242-442: Ceramics class for the art majors class is stacked-that is beginning to advanced meeting all in one time block. I am hopeful that this instantaneous resource of beginning to advanced wheel, hand building, moldmaking, and print on clay techniques will help to streamline this class and address the wide variety of student skill levels and concentrations.

I am also in the process of setting up a computer in the back room of the studio for viewing the demo videos and using glaze calculation software during class. I am excited to work out the kinks of integrating digital technology into the ceramics classroom, as I believe it holds great potential.

If you are having any trouble viewing the videos or prefer You Tube, good news! We are uploading all of the demo videos to You Tube in addition to Google Video.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for demo topics not listed on claydemo.com or class topics that would benefit from inclusion. I am thinking of adding in "Mixing Clay and Glazes" as it is a required activity for students in my classes.

Two new videos online!

Two new clay demo videos are now online for your perusal! Check out Demo 4 Basic Wheel Techniques, Centering, Opening, and Pulling and Demo 4.5 Wheel Throwing- A Quick Refresher. Check back often as new topics will be added daily. We are currently editing down Demo 5 Throwing and Trimming Bowls, Demo 6 Pulling and Attaching Handles to Mugs, and Demo 14 How to Use Shellac Resist on Bone Dry Work.

welcome to the claydemo.com Q&A blog!

http://www.claydemo.com/ has been made possible by Lea Zoltowski’s 2008 MSU Billings Research & Creative Endeavor Grant “Incorporating Digital Technology Into Teaching Ceramics.” The 22 clay demonstration videos featured on http://www.claydemo.com/ outline topics covered in Zoltowski's ART 142: Introduction to Pottery and ART 242, 342, and 442: Ceramics classes at MSUB. This online resource is designed to supplement live course demonstrations. If students miss a class or have questions about a particular project or techniques, they can refer at any time to http://www.claydemo.com/.

Lea is currently an Assistant Professor of Ceramics at Montana State University Billings. She received a MFA in Ceramics from Ohio University in Athens, OH in 2006 and a BFA in Ceramics from Alfred University in Alfred, NY in 2001. Lea had yearlong teaching Artist Residencies at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, ME in 2001-2 and Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN in 2002-3.

"The sheer distance between towns in Montana and my belief in the importance of art programming has inspired this teaching resource that is free and available to instructors anywhere. It is simply not feasible to drive six hours to demonstrate techniques on a 5 day teaching schedule. Please spread the word about this resource to your colleagues in ceramics! Educational clay demo DVDs will be available soon. Please inquire if you are interested."

Techniques shown in this series of 22 educational online video demos come from Lea and her teachers: Brad Schwieger, Alex Hibbitt, Chuck McWeeney, Boomer Moore, Pattie Chalmers, Mariko Peterson, Sam Chung, Lisa Orr, Julia Galloway, Matt Nolen, Nick Joerling, Peter Beseaker, Walter McConnell, Linda Sikora, Wayne Higby, John Gill, Andrea Gill, Anne Currier, Dr. Bill Carty, Julie York, Aysha Peltz, John Utgard, Garth Johnson, Allison McGowan, Steven Kemenyffy, and Gerry Dinnen. Thanks to all for your generosity in sharing ceramic techniques.

Please join in the discussion if you have any questions about techniques presented in the clay demo videos. Your suggestions for future clay demo topics are also welcomed.