Clay First Nations Masks Supply List

Saltwater Logo Saltwater Fine Arts
Supply and classroom prep sheet for

Clay “First Nations Masks”

First Nations Mask Sculpture copyright Joanne Howard 2000

Classroom set up:

I will need a DocCam & Projector or poster page, visible to all students while they are drawing at their desks/tables.

I can use either:

your document camera & projector set up - Excellent option!

my DocCam & stand with your projector. I have cables. (Sorry, I don’t have a projector!) - Excellent option!

or a sheet of chart paper - okay option.

Please get everyone to clear desks (except for things they’ll need.) We’ll have more art time!
Please let me know how much of the clay to use with your class. (you can write it on the box/bag.)
Please have the clay in a visible spot in the room 10 minutes before the session so I can cut the clay.
You will need a safe area to dry clay projects slowly… not on a heater or in a window please. Drying clay too quickly makes the clay crack. You may wish to put down newsprint or paper towels ahead of time.

Supplies:

FOR SCULPTURE

Clay or air-dry clay
Water (sink access)
Paper Towels or Cleaning Cloths (for clean up)
I will bring Tools (I will bring rolling pins, water pots & basic tools.)
Desk covers - (Can be taped in place, if need be, for easier slab rolling.)
Paper, wood, cardboard or fabric as a work surface to prevent sticking
- cardboard or bristolboard is good
- fabric is good
- the backside of chalkboards is good, if not too smooth
- sturdy scrap paper is okay (ie: brown craft paper)
- No newsprint or wax paper, please… they fall apart when wet.
- No plastic (it's just as sticky as the desks)

CLAY NOTES:

Standard potter's clay is the best and the cheapest.
(I prefer Plainsman M-340 clay - grey when moist, off-white once fired.)

Plainsman clay comes with two bags in each box. You will need one bag per class although you can use 2 bags per class and produce larger projects. (or a bag & a third!)
Please let me know how much clay to use with each class. (you can write it on the box/bag.)
Please have the clay in a visible spot in the room 10 minutes before the session, so I can cut the clay.
Air-dry clay has glue/ hardener added and it's quite pricey but does dry harder when projects cannot be fired. (it's only available at art or craft stores.) You can air-dry potters clay but it will always remain fragile.
The best option is to 'borrow' a kiln at another school, if your school doesn't have one.
I don't have a kiln. :-) sorry!
You can buy clay at Greenbarn Potters Supply in Port Kells. www.greenbarn.com (They have good prices.)
Clay that has been in your supply room for six months or more is no longer good. (If you can't easily press a finger into the clay, little fingers won't be able to move it. You can use it on your own but it will need soaking and working before little hands can work it! Clay should be soft & squishy!)
Don't leave clay outdoors or in a vehicle overnight in winter. It can freeze (and dry) or just be too cold to cut the next day.