Little research exists on using clay as an anxiety-reducing intervention with patients in psychiatric hospitals. This article reports on a study that used a one-group, pretest/posttest design with 49 adults in a psychiatric facility who created a clay pinch pot. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used as a pre- and posttest measure.…

What began as a review lesson in clay construction quickly became a fun learning experience filled with inspiring conversations and creatively painted birds. This lesson was successful from beginning to end, with a final reward when the artwork was displayed. The author describes the process of working on this project and shares how the students…

Although the craft and art of bookmaking has a rich history, artworks about books are relatively new. The author teaches in a school that has an international population where a variety of languages and cultures flourish. He took this opportunity to develop a ceramic unit that combined sculptural design, the history of bookmaking, and traditional…

Clay artists occasionally turn out laughter provoking ceramics purely intended to amuse the viewer. Topsy-turvy is a project which contains ceramic "whizkiddery". While the essential "scheme of beauty" does not prevail in these sculptures, this kind of project provides fun for the artist or student. (Author/RK)

Would you like to expand your selection of glazes easily and economically? By using imagination and combinations of pre-mixed glazes and toothbrush spattering, art teachers can discover new and exciting ranges of glaze decorations. Gives a dozen combinations for experimentation. (Author/RK)

Art teacher gives step-by-step description of the process. (SP)

Techniques are described by which ceramic containers are designed to resemble persons. (EJS)

Raku is an ancient Japanese process of firing pottery in which the bisqued piece is glazed and placed in a preheated kiln. Described are the benefits of substituting sawdust and charcoal for firing pottery by those people who do not have access to a kiln. (KC)

Described is the process of making four pottery items: a planter with drainage dish, a bird feeder, a square pot, and an oil lamp. (KC)

Described is the process of firing clay pottery through the use of a charcoal kettle grill, an inexpensive alternative to the kiln. (KC)

An art teacher at the new Absegami High School of Mays Landing, New Jersey, guided his advanced ceramics students into attempting to create authentic Indian pottery. (Author/RK)

A direct correlation exists between the acquisition of skills on the potter's wheel and the vertical dimension of the finished pot. Ability equals height. Overlooked somewhere in the search for acquiring technical facility and a means of demonstrating it, is the fascinating world of miniature pottery. Describes the mechanics peculiar to small…

Have you ever wondered, after all the time and work, why your students' glazes did not come out of the kiln as well as those of a professional? One reason could be the glazes themselves. Describes where to find high quality packaged glazes and how to use them productively. (Author/RK)

For centuries coil building has been the primary method of making pottery the world over. Many classrooms still reflect this preference for symmetrical coil building. Describes coil building and what forms can be made from it. (Author/RK)

Thorough advance planning will eliminate much of the clutter and the mud hazards associated with the introduction of ceramics. Provides some helpful suggestions for teaching ceramics in an efficient and tidy fashion. (Author/RK)