ASPIRE Super Kids: Partners & Possibilities
Wednesday, September 27th, artist Blake Schnormeier visited with the ASPIRE Super Kids about his love of art and the Create Creston business located on Maple Street in Creston.
Fun Fact: Blake told us that Ms. Buzzard (EU Art Teacher) was his art teacher in college. He said she let him work with clay as much as he wanted which sparked his love of working with it.
Blake gave each student 2 pieces of clay. With the first block of clay he demonstrated how to get it into a ball shape. From there, he showed us how to make a ‘pinch pot’ (a primitive bowl). Then, he showed how to use a pencil to draw on the clay and how to use the eraser end to imprint circles within the clay.
The second piece of clay was theirs to make into whatever they wished. Blake showed them a technique called ‘scratch and slip’. Using the pencil you scratch the surface of the clay and add some glue called the slip. This is used to hold pieces of clay together when you fire it.
The students were very creative and took their time to make some great creations. Some of their works of art included: a shark, a turtle, a plate and a cup. Blake also had them put their name and date on the pieces.
Blake took all the pieces back with him to his studio to fire them in his kiln. He explained how they would become hard but would still be porous since a glaze was not added.
We all look forward to next month when Blake plans to return with another sculpting project and new techniques for the kids to try. If you are interested in learning more about the ASPIRE Super Kids Club or how you can join, please call Tammy Ross at 641-347-8777.