27 april 2009 343ARTIST IN RESIDENCY PROGRAM 2009

SAM GORDON

 

 

 

Local artist Sam Gordon began working at the beginning of March with Preps to Grade 3 to make 4 ceramic totem poles for the school grounds.  Sam began by introducing the children to the history of ceramics and its use in the everyday - with its application as the toilet gaining the most interest and laughs!

The students were then given the opportunity to explore clay by to making their own ceramic pieces and these ranged from magnificent hands, to brilliant pinch pots and gorgeous animals, to funny faces and ferocious vipers.

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THE ART GALLERY

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THE TOTEM POLE PROJECT

 

Sam then gave each Grade a life skill theme to explore for their totem pole.

 

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Preps and Grade ˝

Explored ORGANISATION, how we get organized and what kinds of things are organized around us and in our lives.    Ideas ranged from the role of the community services such as the Fire Brigade, to the colours of the rainbow, the building of bridges and to The Bionicles (very popular choice).

 

 

 

 

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Grade 1’s

Explored CONFIDENCE - Sam introduced the students to the tightrope walker Phillipe Petite as an analogy for confidence and the need for practice and balance.  With a spectacular Phillipe made by Mrs Laura Marshal, the students were provided with balls constructed from two pinch pots, and were asked to create anything of their choice for Phillipe to balance upon.  We now have kookie bats,   angels, snakes and even a tornado for Phillipe to topple upon.

 

 

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Grade 2’s

Explored PERSISTENCE and with the analogy of mountain climbing we looked at how we felt when embarking on a journey and we looked at expression – how we start off happy and energetic and then stumble and become frightened, angry and sad until we reach our reward at the top.  The student was asked to create anything of their choice on their journey at the top.  Terrific ideas ranged from sleeping dogs on the bottom, troops of penguins, pooped fish and clinging monkeys.

 

 

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Grade 3’s

Grade 3’s explored RESILIENCE and made analogies with what sorts of things make animals insects and fish in particular resilience.  Ideas ranged from feathers, fur and fins to the use of camouflage and appearing mean (such as the puffer fish and cobra snakes – very popular)

                                                                            

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The children’s work is currently in the process of being fired and glazed and hopefully with adorn the entrance to the school by the end of June.