Relief Clay Vases
Lesson Plan by Joanna Sizer
Elementary School Art Teacher, James Madison Elementary School
Time to Complete: 5 or 6, 45-minute sessions
Suggested Grade Level: Upper Elementary
Students will explore abstract art and why artists create through the work of Mary Nohl. They will begin looking at her work and asking why she created her artwork. What inspired her to create artwork of the water, of people? Eventually asking what is important to themselves as an artists. They will then analyze how she created simplified and abstract designs and create their own designs to add to a coil pot. Through this lesson we will explore not only how and why Mary Nohl created, but why we create.
Objectives
• Students will create a relief design.
• Students will transform realistic drawings into abstract designs.
• Students will create a coil-built vessel.
Discussion questions
• What inspires artists to make their art?
• How do we simplify realism into abstraction?
• How do we care for materials properly?
Materials
• 2 lbs. of clay per student
• Glaze
• Canvas mat or canvas covered board
• Sculpting tools
Key Vocabulary
• Abstract designs
• Relief sculpture
• Vessel
• Coil-built
Step-by-step
Day 1
Introduce Mary Nohl with an art analysis. Discuss: What inspired her to make her art. Generate ideas of realistic drawings of things that are important to them or reflect their community.
Day 2
Analyze another artwork of Mary Nohl’s. Discuss: How did she simplify her inspiration into abstract images? Students take their drawings and transform into abstract.
Day 3
Build their coil pots. Discuss how to properly use their materials and take care of it.
Day 4
Add their relief elements. Discuss. (An extra work day may be added.)
Day 5
Glaze pots. Discuss how glaze protects the artwork.
National Standard Connection
V.A. CR.1.1.4: Brainstorm multiple approaches to a create art or design problem.
VA.CR.2.2.4a: When making art utilize and care for and use of art materials.
PR.5.1.4a: Analyze the various considerations for presenting art in various locations (indoor and outdoor, permanent or temporary).
VA.RE.7.1.4a: Compare responses to a work of art before and after working in a similar media.
