Creativity through Clay

Andrea DiPalma Yansane

Students will create 3-dimensional animal portraits to last a lifetime as they explore the world of clay sculpture and character design.

Students will learn about the artistic process through 2D & 3D design, clay sculpting techniques, surface decoration, color theory, and the firing process. Andrea works with individual classrooms and teachers to integrate classroom curriculum and school themes with her ceramic lessons for a full-bodied, hands-on arts learning experience.

Final Product
Students will produce either a glazed and fired ceramic animal face, finger puppet, or miniature sculpture.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will explore the use of technique and problem-solving through the creative process.
• Students will create, present, or perform a work of art that demonstrates an idea, mood, or feeling using essential elements or organizational principles.
• Students will engage in informed and respectful discussion of current events, social issue, and new ideas.
• Students will develop and strengthen their writing skills by planning, revising, or trying a new approach.
• Students will reason with shapes and their attributes.

Suggested Grades

• Suited for all grade levels

Pricing Breakdown

• 4 sessions at 45 minutes each
• Prep hours: 1.5 hour per class
• Materials: $2.00 per student for 1 project
• Travel from Eugene

“It was obvious that Andrea is experienced, as she was thoroughly prepared and organized with her lesson and materials. She connected prior learning each session and introduced steps and new tools with appropriate lesson pacing, clear modeling with art-specific vocabulary (including repetition and rhyme for memory), good volume and fluency, and inclusion of purpose and reasoning within the art form – showing how-to and models of finished steps. As the students were very engaged in this project, Andrea circulated during studio time to assess and guide as needed…Our class thoroughly enjoyed our art project with Andrea!” — 1st grade teacher at Adams Elementary

“Andrea was a wonderful artist and teacher to have at our school for Artist in Residence. She was my first artist in residence guest who had strong behavioral management techniques for elementary school students. We had four sessions for her clay art activity. For each session, she prepared the materials well and organized everything for teachers.” –3rd grade teacher at Yujin Gakuen