birmingham | Eastnor Pottery

Tag Archive for birmingham

Clay houses and pottery homes

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Jon

I’ll be visiting Washwood Heath Nursery School in Birmingham once a month till the end of the academic year – the intention to bolster their already admirable and generous clay provision.

The children, if they so wish, get to experience the squiddgy stuff every day on the clay table, set up with lots of tools and provocations.

The theme this term is based loosley on ‘where we live’. I provided fired, ceramic examples of different houses and a range of making techniques for the children to explore.

I’m always impressed by how advanced the children’s clay skills are; for example, the clay house pictured above is evidence of some articulate modeling and mark-making. However, if I was to tell you that the building is hollow, assembled from carefully flattened and cut slabs, the true brilliance of the piece is revealed.

Posted in early years, schools tagged with birmingham, children, early years

Best practice @Lillian de Lissa Nursery

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Jon

Made my annual pilgrimage to the fantastically creative Lillian de Lissa Nursery School in Birmingham this week.

Each November I spend three fulfilling days working with the children and staff exploring the many consistencies of clay. All the children experience the potter’s wheel as well as making some stunning sculptures using simple tools, large lumps of clay and lots of water! Lorna’s (artist in residence at the Nursery) documentation is admirable and by the end of day two, photos and comments are up on the wall displayed for parents, children, staff and visitors to reflect upon.

Posted in children, early years, schools tagged with birmingham, early years, education

Earlyarts Unconference

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Jon

So much inspiration, wonder and chatting with like-minded souls – exhausting!

There were plenty of highlights but if I had to name just one it would have to be the performance of ‘One small word’ by M6 Theatre Company. A sensitive,well observed portrayal of the ups & downs of child friendships…..and so much more – Magical!

Thanks to Earlyarts, moonbeams3, and MACfor putting on a brilliant event….and thank you to the lovely people who attended my clay workshopon the Wednesday. Such creative making in so little time.

Posted in clay play, early years, festivals and events tagged with adults, birmingham, early years, education, events, moonbeams3

Positive Washwood

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Jon

Spent the day on the potter’s wheel at Washwood Heath Nursery School working with children as young as 14 months.

The Nursery School is so committed to exploring the benefits of working with clay that in addition to the ‘clay table’ available 24/7, they have purchased their very own potter’s wheel. A positive move inspiring an equally positive approach by one of their pupils:

‘R’ had made a lovely tall pot on the wheel which due to a ‘slight’ increase in finger pressure had sheared away in her hand. She calmly put the amputated section to the side and started to work the remaining clay. With a sparkle in her eye she exclaimed “Look, I can still do it!”