Family Art Saturday, Home Clay Making Activity

Virtual Family Art Saturday We are bringing Family Art Saturday to you! Get Creative and Make Art Together!

CREATIVE PLAY WITH HOMEMADE CLAY

Activity Material list: 2 cups Flour (any kind), ½ cup Table Salt, ¾ cup Water, Large Bowl, Spoon, Oven, Baking Sheet *optional color of your choice (paints, markers, colored pencils, crayons) and………………………………………Playful Curiosity!

Artists will have an opportunity to make and create with clay, made from basic ingredients in the kitchen. This simple and playful activity connects with BCA’s current exhibition Brigitta Varadi: Exploring the Invisible.

Activity Age Range: The Whole Family!

STEP 1. CONNECT Check out Brigitta Varadi: Exploring the Invisible at BCA online where you can take a virtual tour of the exhibition. See the link posted below.

Brigitta Varadi, Exploring the Invisible

Brigitta is interested in connecting sustainability, tradition, everyday ritual and craft.

Experimenting and learning about new arts and crafts is important for her art making. In 2019, Brigitta was an Artist-in-Residence at Shelburne Farms. While there, she learned about harvesting and mixing clay from the farm. She worked with community members to make 2,000 ceramic tiles from the clay she harvested. She also used wool from Shelburne Farm’s sheep to create art. You can see the ceramic tiles and her wool panels on display in Exploring the Invisible. The exhibit is in the 2nd floor virtual gallery. Learn how Brigitta mixes and processes her own clay for artmaking by watching Exploring the Invisible, video component.

Here is a link to the online virtual tour and video. https://www.burlingtoncityarts.org/Exhibition/brigitta-varadi-exploring-invisible

STEP 2. CREATE Make your own clay from ingredients in your kitchen! The following recipe will produce enough clay for 5 small sculptures. The amount can be doubled as needed.

Process: 1. In a large bowl, mix ½ cup salt and ¾ cup warm water. Stir until partially dissolved. It should start to look like ocean water.

2. Add 2 cups of flour and stir to mix. Mix until shaggy dough forms.

3. Using your hands form the dough into a ball and start to knead.

4. Try kneading the clay like Brigitta does in Exploring the Invisible. It is fun to try to make the spiral pattern she uses.

5. Knead for 5-8 minutes. Take turns and work together. Notice that your clay will become smooth. Brigitta mixed enough clay for 2,000 ceramic tiles! Imagine how it would feel and look to mix that much clay.

6. When the clay is super smooth try making a coil by rolling a little bit of clay between your hands. If it holds together, and doesn’t crack, it is ready to use. Otherwise, keep kneading and add a little water as necessary.

7. Now that your clay is ready, start exploring with it! Try rolling balls and coils. Explore different shapes and ideas. Play and experiment. What type of sculpture will you imagine? Have fun and create.

8. Need to save some clay for later? Place it in a sealed plastic bag. It will save for a few days.

9. Place your finished clay sculptures (they will still be soft) on an ungreased baking sheet and heat your oven to 300 degrees.

10. Cook the clay for about 1 hour. Check on it after 45 minutes and see how it is doing. You should have sculptures that are a light golden color and hard to the touch. *It may seem like they are sticking to the cookie sheet. They will loosen up when cool.

11. Let your sculptures cool.

12. *Optional - add color to your sculptures. Paint them with water-based paints, color them with crayon, use colored pencils or markers.

13. Congratulations! You made sculptures by making your own clay!

14. Maybe you want to play with your clay creations or find a place in your home to make your own art exhibit.

Join us next month, May 23, for another playful Virtual Family Art Saturday!

Activity Posted

April 25, 2020 11:00 a.m.

Online www.burlingtoncityarts.org *Clay Recipe was adapted from Maryanne Kohl’s recipe for Baker’s Clay Kohl, MaryAnn F. “Creative Clay, Dough, and Modeling Experiences.” Creative Clay Dough and Modeling Experiences by MaryAnn F Kohl, www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2012/creative-clay-dough-and-modeling-experiences.

PHOTO GUIDE

CREATING HOMEMADE CLAY SCULPTURES