Art in Smith Center Junior High

Scroll down to see the hand-built pottery forms created by these 8th grade artists using the coil technique and a red earthenware clay that fires to Cone 05 (1888º F). These artists looked at images and examples of ancient Greek pottery for their form designs. Before the first (bisque) firing, these artists coated the outside of their pieces with jet black engobe (a thin clay that fires to a dark shade). They then scratched a design through the engobe - a technique called sgraffito - before leaving their pieces out to dry. After the bisque firing, the artists applied a coat of clear transparent glaze, and the pieces were fired for a second time to Cone 05.