Umpqua Valley Arts Association

Arts in Education

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Nancy Atwell (Ceramics)

About the Artist

Nancy has taught several art classes in California and Oregon. She is a second-generation ceramicist having learned the art from her parents who had their own ceramics business in Missouri. She teaches elementary and high school levels. She also gives craft instruction to senior citizens, some of whom are disabled. She has presented art appreciation classes to fifth graders on various famous artists, and she presently teaches a weekly ceramics class at Lizard Prints Gallery in Roseburg.

Grade Levels

Preschool, K - Adult, Seniors

Teaching Objectives

Students should understand about ceramics as a medium, molds, how to pour and prepare greenware; how to clean greenware, underglaze, the firing process and glazing. The extent of this knowledge will depend on age of the class and amount of time given to each project. Various finishing techniques will be taught and each student will take home their project.

The class will determine the project difficulty level and amount of time spent on each step. Some students will, of course, finish sooner than others and extra projects are available for those who have time to complete them.

Staff Development

I can go through entire ceramics process - ceramics can be related to many school subjects - history of ceramics, perspective, proportion and design. Timing greenware preparation, temperature for firing, ceramic uses today i.e. Spark plugs (nonconductor) where clays are found, ingredients of slip, creative decisions in fashioning and decorating.

Facility/Supplies

Material costs depend on what each class has already available - pricing varies depending on length of class, age of students and project desired.

Home Stays

Not required in Douglas County.

Overview | Application for Residency | Artist Bios | Apply as an Artist | AIE Check-off

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