Meanwhile, back at camp… last week in my morning Wheelthrowing Camp, it looks like I might have a young protege in the making?!!! My summer campers were trimming & decorating their wheelthrown pots on Friday, and suddenly Umah started making this gem of a stamped bowl.

She may have a few more years to go…
but maybe she’ll make a great apprentice some day???

And just when you thought young Cullen’s handbuilt mugs couldn’t get any cuter… we painted them with colored slip on Friday. We finished off this week of summer camp with such focus & determination… making his family the perfect gifts!!!

Yesterday my afternoon Summer Campers did some handbuilding… and I challenged them to make slab mugs! Cullen made this adorable set of mugs for his family… Mom, Dad & Grandma!

But the cutest part?… he also made one for his twin brother Caden. And kept it “secret” the whole time so Caden has no idea that this is being made… pretty much right under his nose!

Imagine my surprise & sudden excitement when I saw these cases of OREOs in the back hallway by the freight elevator at Lillstreet Art Center. I was taking my summer campers up to the rooftop for lunch… and we all saw these boxes of yumminess!!! SO EXCITING!!! Until we realized they were just OREO crumbles for the “First Slice” kitchen to make as a cookie pie crust. mwah, mwah, mwah…

With some colored slips, the kids’ handbuilt mugs really came together today! They finished up detailing their handbuilt mugs, and then added a layer of colored slips to bring them to life. After they’re bisque fired, a layer of clear glaze will make then shiny & a bit more colorful. So much fun to see these projects come together with some great Summer Campers!!!

On Thursday, my morning summer campers did a handbuilding project… making handbuilt slab mugs with a theme! I challenged them to make two mugs that “go together” to tell a creative story… like day & night… like fire & water… like Harry Pottery & Voldemort!!! They may look a little “crusty” & “smudgey” right now, but I’m confident that when we add some colored slips they’ll all come together. I mean, they’re so cute already…

So this was another week of Wheelthrowing & Handbuilding Camp with some adorable summer campers! I had more great kids this week… younger in the morning & older in the afternoon. They all did a great job… although some threw themselves into their work a bit more than others. Quite literally for some!!!

Well, it’s another week of SUMMER CAMP!!!

And another week of wheelthrowing with the kids! Sure, they might get muddy, sloppy & dirty… but it all washes off. The only thing that doesn’t wash off is their contagious energy & endless smiles… even if they are hidden somewhere behind their masks!

Today at Summer Camp I received a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers & lovely note from my CIT Olivia. She worked with me for both weeks of Sculpture Camp and was a wonderful addition to my camps. But today was her last official day as a CIT. As a “Counselor-In-Training”, Olivia has been learning-the-ropes of summer camp from the teacher’s perspective. She’s been a “camper” with us before, but is now old enough to be part of the team! Olivia was a pleasure… and I hope she returns to help out with more summer camps real soon! Thanks for helping… and thanks for the note & flowers Olivia!

Well, we’re finishing up another week of Wheelthrowing Summer Camp… and what better way than by having the kids clean-up after themselves… and after some of the adults too! Once again they decided to push the reclaim clay through the grid & wash down the bucket.

Something I’ve NEVER seen an adult student do…
and never with such a cute face involved!!!