Page 74 - royal-times-16-17

POTTERY TRIP

On the 9th of December 2016, Ms Burns and Ms Armstrong brought the first,
second and fifth year Art students to Monaghan for a Pottery trip in Busy Bee’s
Ceramics. Everyone had to get up really early as the bus left at 8:30 in the morning.
The bus journey took around an hour and there was good fun on the journey up.

We arrived at the Pottery studio at around 9:45 and my fellow first years and I
were really excited as we had never done this before. So, we went in and we were
introduced to Brenda and her assistant. We were told what type of clay she uses,
what she puts the clay on, how much it weighs and how to make a pot.
The clay she uses weighs about 600g and after you make the pot you put it
into a big machine called a kiln. The kiln fires the clay to over 1200 degrees. She
uses a type of clay called stoneware which is very hardwearing and excellent for
throwing on a wheel. After we made the pots we decorated them using clay
tools resulting in each one been very individual.
After the first firing the pots will then be glazed. Glazing adds colour and a shine
to the pieces.
The first years went on the wheels first. We were so excited as we had to
concentrate on the applying speed while controlling the clay on the
actual wheel. Then it was the turn of the second years and finally, the
fifth years.

While we waited for the others to finish their pots we played charades
with Ms Armstrong, which was really fun.
At the end of the day, Brenda spoke to us about how she got into pottery
making and then it was time to get on the bus. Everyone was really tired
and the bus journey home was much quieter than it was going up.
Overall it was a great experience for all of us and a special thanks to Ms
Burns and Ms Armstrong for taking us on the trip.

Nathan Tobin 1R

74 The Royal Times 2016-2017