Students in Sculpture and Ceramics studied the history and significance of Native American totem poles and the spirit animals included on them. Three realms were studied: underwater, earth and sky. Students researched significance and symbolism of animals commonly used on totem poles. The structure of the totem pole comes from juice and milk cartons which were wrapped in moist paper towels to prevent the clay from drying at different rates.
The students were required to include a minimum of two animals; one which represents them currently and one in which they would like to be remembered for. Beyond those requirements, we decided as a group to have a requirement to build out on at least two sides and to carve in on at least two sides. Students in the class brought up using glaze colors that would have been used and available when the totem poles were created by Native American groups.
After the pieces were glazed, students worked together to stack up their individual pieces to create several totem poles in which to display. The pieces were stacked based on which realm was represented. The pieces were displayed in the main office for the remainder of the school year!
Arty on!
The students were required to include a minimum of two animals; one which represents them currently and one in which they would like to be remembered for. Beyond those requirements, we decided as a group to have a requirement to build out on at least two sides and to carve in on at least two sides. Students in the class brought up using glaze colors that would have been used and available when the totem poles were created by Native American groups.
After the pieces were glazed, students worked together to stack up their individual pieces to create several totem poles in which to display. The pieces were stacked based on which realm was represented. The pieces were displayed in the main office for the remainder of the school year!
Arty on!
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