Got Clay?

Narrative Essay Assignment

      I take my direction from the people that I work with. One thing that I tell them is that there are never any mistakes in art. This is important for them to know because a lot of their lives they have been told that there are so many things that they can't do because of their disabilites. One particpant told me that she loves my classes because she loves art and can learn how to do so many things.

     I took out the sculpey clay that we often work with. I handed each participant a square of clay. Each person had a different color. As I watched each person working the clay in their hands to make it soft and pliable, I started to get an idea. I went to the cupboards and got out our clay molds, I decided that I was going to have them start making fall leaves. At this point I still wasn't sure what direction the activity was going to take. We started making the leaves, each participant had a particular task to do in creating these. As they were working another idea started to form. I thought it would be creative if they could create a clay vase and adorn it with the leaves that were making. After the leaves were made the next step would be on how to make the vase. I needed something stable that they could use as a sort of permanent mold that we could wrap the clay around. I had my participants go into our cafeteria and get a dozen soda cans that were in our recycling bins. We cut the tops off and and wrapped each can with some tin foil to give it more stability. We then rolled out our clay and wrapped it inside and out of the can. We used a clay tool to create a vine pattern over the outside. We then took our unbaked clay leaves and clay vases, put them on a cookie sheet and took them into the cafeteria. We baked everything for fifteen minutes. We would then have to wait for the clay to cool. Now we would have to wait till next week to proceed with our project. This requires learning patience, and taking time to do quality work on what you are trying to create.

     The next week participants were anxious to get to class because they wanted to continue with their project. Everyone was all sitting around the table waiting for me when I arrived. Today we would be painting the vase portion of our project. Everyone helped get out all the paintbrushes and paints. The more independent people picked out their own choice of fall colors and started painting. I and a volunteer helped those that needed hand over hand assistance. I was helping a woman paint her vase and as I held her hand her face bloomed a wonderous smile. This smile is what makes doing what I do important. After the paint dried it was time to decorate. We laid out our supplies for decorating, fake berries, multi colored clay leaves and ribbon. This step would require working one on one with each person. As I worked with each person you could see the sense of accomplishment.

       When each person's project was finished they held their vase as if they should have been on display in a museum or art gallery.  Just minutes before the class was over, a participant says to me, if we didn't have you we would not be able to do this. This is why I love this job, not for the compliments but being able to give some a sense of pride and accomplishment to someone that might not ever get to do fun and unique things. There are never mistakes in art.