This week was the triumphant return of everybody’s favorite Summer Camp!
It was time for the campers to once again create their own custom chess set out of clay.
In previous years, the camp was only a morning camp. This year, we’ve changed it to
a full-day camp, giving the kids about 2-1/2 hours more each day to work.
And it payed off… they were working right down to the very end of the day today!

Each of the kids had to come up with their own “theme” for their chess set.
We brainstormed & discussed their ideas… and they decided upon some great themes…
* School Days versus Summer Vacation
* Mythological Creatures versus Prehistoric Creatures
* Flowers versus Weeds
* Cause & Effect: Good Things versus When Bad Things Happen to Good Things
* Frogs versus Bugs
* Rock Music versus Jazz Music
* “Fablehaven” Heroes versus Villains
and of course, we had to have… * Harry Potter versus Twilight

After determining their themes, the kids set out to assign what shape each piece will take
in their sets – and then the construction process began. With a lot of discussion of techniques
and the importance of “scoring & slipping.” It’s a little overwhelming at the beginning…
with a LOT of work ahead of each of them… and me!

Throughout the week, we continued to build pieces and stress the importance of
“scoring & slipping”… especially as a few pieces fell apart as they were drying.
And others broke out of pure carelessness. It was a continual learning curve for all
of the kids. Once built, the kids started painting their pieces with colored underglaze.

First it was simple glazing… backgrounds, bases, large areas.
And then the extra focus set in as they got to the finer details of their pieces!

As if that weren’t enough work to keep them busy, they also needed to draw & paint
their checkered boards in a thematic pattern. Colors & textures representative of their chosen
theme were discussed & encouraged. After painting, each board also received two thick coats
of Mod Podge to protect the surface. I love the smell of Mod Podge in the morning.

After five very productive days, all of the kids accomplished their task – and finished
all 32 pieces, a few “extras” in case of breakage and their painted chess boards. We had
some excitement, some anxiety an a lot of creativity throughout the week. All in all,
everyone did an incredible job on their chess sets.

So for now they are done… and waiting to be glazed & fired. A special thank you to our
camp assistant Brian who will be carefully spraying them all with a light coat of clear glaze
and loading all of the pieces into the kiln. If all goes as planned, the kids will return the end
of next week to pick up their finished chess sets. And can then start playing…

If this looks like fun, I will be teaching another week of Chess Camp in August.
Monday through Friday, August 9-13, 2010 at Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago.
Sign-up the kids today before the class fills up. Call or register online at
www.lillstreet.com.