Alesia’s Art Activities

Alesia Lacina has a long history of arts education in Grinnell. Here are some of her favorite art activities for you!

Clay, Sculpture Grinnell Area Arts Council Clay, Sculpture Grinnell Area Arts Council

Clay Landscapes

Landscapes before glazing and final firing

Materials

  • Clay rolled flat and in chunks

  • Flat boards (ours are 4"x12") for a surface

Instructions

  1. Lay the flat piece of clay on the flat board for stability. Use chunks of clay to build. Create a landscape. It could include things such as buildings, walls, trees, and statues.

  2. Fire in a kiln, glaze, and fire again.

Tips

  • Make sure that all the pieces are very well attached and there are no fragile parts. They easily break off.

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Clay, Painting Grinnell Area Arts Council Clay, Painting Grinnell Area Arts Council

Clay Eggs

Materials

  • Large slabs of clay

  • Inflated balloons

  • Paper plates

  • Acrylic paint

  • Paintbrushes

Instructions

  1. Cover balloon with reasonably thin slabs of clay (they must be long enough that they meet around the balloon). Make sure to leave a small hole at the top, large enough to pull the once-popped balloon out.

  2. Pinch or slightly smooth out the edges. There shouldn’t be any holes but these are not meant to look pretty or perfect.

  3. Let the eggs dry on paper plates for a couple of days, pop the balloons and let dry for a few more weeks.

  4. Decorate with paint. For example, some kids painted theirs like dragon eggs.

Tips

  • There’s a fine line between too little clay that will not hold up its weight when the balloon is popped and too much clay which will collapse on itself. Use your best judgement and good luck.

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Clay Grinnell Area Arts Council Clay Grinnell Area Arts Council

Clay Suns

Materials

  • Slabs of clay

  • Extra clay for details

  • Cutting tools

 Instructions

  1. Cut a rectangle or square slab of clay for the base

  2. Cut a circle out of another slab of clay, which will be the middle of the sun.

  3. Add sun rays, a face and other details, making sure they are resting on the base or they will fall off

  4. Encourage the kids to use piece of clay to add details/texture rather than carving out details.

  5. Kiln fire, glaze, and fire again.

Tips

  • Looking at the picture, the suns aren't on bases. They may appear sturdy, but the sun rays kept breaking off. Building them on a clay slab base makes the suns sturdier.
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Looking for all of our projects? Go HERE to the the complete project archive!