Day-in-Clay Coming to Woodhull School
Cliff Mendelson will share his love of art with Woodhull Intermediate School sixth graders when the artist-in-residence visits on March 5 for a daylong multicultural ceramic art potter's wheel program that will delve into vessel making and design.
A professional artist, sculptor and potter, Mr. Mendelson has taught at Parsons School of Design, Greenwich House Pottery and CUNY-Hunter College and currently teaches at the Westchester Art Workshop at Westchester Community College.
During his upcoming visit to Woodhull, Mr. Mendelson will share his knowledge of how clay vessels are designed and their connection to various cultures. The visit has been made possible through the efforts of the Huntington PTA Council's arts-in-education committee working in collaboration with the Huntington Arts Council.
"I enjoy the challenge of encouraging students to explore new ways of working in clay, paint and color," Mr. Mendelson said. "We regularly accomplish results in the classroom that bring delight to students, parents and teachers. Students respond with finished works that sometimes exceed even their own expectations. I have been told many times that the students don't want to leave when the class is over."
Mr. Mendelson will use a potter's wheel as a tool to generate large scale pottery forms as he discusses how stories and the history of the culture are told through the clay pot. "I will address how this is manifested in a variety of cultures," he said.
Woodhull sixth graders will be able to assist in creating a signature piece on the potter's wheel, exploring patterns and symbols. Signing and personalizing the vessel will allow the youngsters to have the experience of drawing in clay. Patterns and symbols are brought to light as their similarities and meanings are discussed and demonstrated.
"The clay has a magic quality and it is responsive to the touch that allows the students to explore many forms of expressions from self-portraits to Japanese Kabuki mask-making to Egyptian canopic jars and Greek vase painting," Mr. Mendelson said. "There is a rich history to explore and it may be found in the hands of my students."
Woodhull art teacher Todd Hiscox helped spearhead Mr. Mendelson's visit to the school. The artist will present a series of lessons throughout the day designed to allow students to learn about the process and effort involved in creating ceramics pieces and to help them gain an appreciation for the skill involved in making any work of art.
The Woodhull sixth graders will see Mr. Mendelson create original works of art in an atmosphere that encourages inquiry and involvement. Conversation and dialog will be encouraged in light of how design (form and function) is an integral part of the creative process and how it relates to Greek design.
Samples of finished works will be discussed in light of the history of art in various cultures and how its applications are alive in the world today; i.e. African, Native American, Greek and Asian influences.
Art pieces and photos of the workshop will be exhibited around the school in the days and weeks following Mr. Mendelson's visit.