Ceramic Tic-Tocs

The purpose of the ceramic clock project was to recycle ceramic plates salvaged from a local pottery plant into decorative and functional clocks.

The students explored both realistic and abstract design principles as they began to make several thumbnail sketches. Students also participated in a safety class, learning the proper use of equipment and the power tools. These skills were necessary for them to have in order to move to the next step in preparing the plate. Each student had to carefully drill a hole in the center of their plate without shattering the plate.

Once the hole was drilled they had to wash the plate and allow it to dry before they applied the glazes. At this point they were making decisions about color and how color would affect outcome. They enjoyed this step, although they could only image what the final product would look like. They also participated in the loading of the kiln and the firing.

The final step was to arrange the clock pieces and assemble the clock for display.

Geraldine McCorr