Clay Lesson Plan and Artwork by Eric Orr, Sax Art Consultant, North Texas Cross Curricular - Art, Social Studies, Language Arts Grades 4-12

Description: A is a sculptural water downspout located on top of a building. The term comes from the French word "gargouille" meaning "throat", and the word sounds a lot like the English "gargle". Note: a gargoyle that does not drain water is referred to as a "grotesque". Gargoyles have been used as architectural rain spouts since they adorned Temples in Greek and Roman times. More familiar are the carved limestone creatures that topped European Medieval cathedrals in the 11th - 13th centuries, such as Notre Dame in Paris, France. It is thought that gargoyles assumed a protective role, to guard the cathedral and ward off evil spirits. Gargoyles are a fun fantasy sculptural subject combining human and animal features, and provide expressive open-ended clay projects due to the variety of forms, textures and facial features that can be created...the only limitation is your imagination. Remember to exaggerate the features to make your sculptures fun, expressive and wild.

Objectives: • Students will study the use of gargoyles in architecture throughout many periods of history. • Students will use clay sculpture techniques to create a gargoyle or grotesque of their own design. • Students will make connections between visual art and other content areas of the curriculum.

Materials Used: AMACO #27 White Sculpture/Raku Clay With Grog, 50-Lbs. (351458-705) AMACO #77 Terra Cotta With Grog, 50-Lbs. (351482-705) AMACO Textured Slab Mold, Pre-Columbian, 9" x 11" (411182-705) Sax Texture Imprinting Mats, Set 2, 21-Design Set (409089-705) Clay Slabmaking Complete Kit (409782-705) Pro Needle Tool (243699-705) Fettling Knife, Hard Tempered Steel Blade (385145-705) AMACO Velvet Underglazes, 12-Color Set (401650-705) AMACO LG-10 Clear Transparent Glaze, Cone 06-05, Pint (351779-705) AMACO Raku Glazes, Cone 010-05, 12 Pints (411179-705) AMACO Rub'n'Buff, Sampler Set, 20 Tubes (404747-705) Other: table canvas, cardboard or plastic mats Newspaper 7" plates paint brushes clay modeling tools Optional tools: Paint and Clay Explorers, Set of 4 (410957-705) AMACO Tri-Bead Roller (405657-705) AMACO Beveled Edge Cutters, 8 Shape Set (409731-705) School Smart Clay Press (431969-705) Fun Wire Assortment, Natural Alloys, 15 3-Yd. Coils (411059-705) Clay Scale Resources: Gargoyles: How to Create Them, 20 min. DVD (411956-705) Gargoyles: How to Create Them, 20 min. VHS (411957-705)

Directions: 1. With a wire, cut lumps the size of a large apple (1-1/2 lbs.) from a block of clay. Notes: A light- firing clay body takes colors better, either for under glaze, over glaze, or for a non-fired painted finish. The raku process requires clay with grog to withstand the thermal shock of removing hot pots from the kiln. Remember, the raku process is for advanced High School students only. 2. Wedge the clay briefly on canvas, plastic, or corrugated cardboard pieces to remove air bubbles and soften it. Roll it into a 1/4" slab. Pierce any air bubbles that rise to the surface. 3. Place the clay slab on a texture slab mold or texture mat, and roll with a rolling pin, gently pressing a texture into one surface of the slab. Turn the slab around and press again to "abstract" the texture. Other textures may be pressed using various tools and stamps. 4. Using a 7" plate as a pattern, trim the slab to a 7" clay disc. Save the scraps for features and details. Press the disc, texture side up, over a tightly wadded single full sheet of newspaper. 5. Pinch the base of the slab where it touches the table into three or four lobes suggesting 2 ears and a snout or nose. A gargoyle with 4 pinched lobes can suggest ears, a nose, and a start in the back of a hairdo, helmet or hat, etc. 6. Press two indentions with thumb and forefinger for eye sockets. Using the score-and-slip method, add expressive features with your scrap clay: eyebrows, eyelids, eyeballs, nose or snout, even hair or a hat, etc. Add holes for beads, wire, hair etc. to be added after firing. Will your gargoyle be part animal, part human, scary, serious or funny? Add detail to enhance your gargoyle or "grotesque" 6. After your gargoyle is completed and leather-hard, gently remove the paper. 7. When sculptures are bone-dry, fire in a ceramic kiln to cone 04. 8. Bisqued sculptures may be finished in a variety of methods: - AMACO Velvet Underglazes (for brightest colors) followed by Clear Transparent glaze. - AMACO Overglaze. - AMACO Raku glaze with outside reduction. (Advanced High School only) - Acrylic or tempera paint followed by a coat of Sax Matte or Gloss Tempera Varnish. - AMACO Rub'n'Buff over latex house paint or acrylic paint

Lesson Extensions: 1. Report on medieval/gothic architecture and details and cathedral construction. 2. Research the geologic formation and use of limestone as a building and sculptural material. 3. Write a first-person story or poem about the lonely life of a medieval Gargoyle. 4. Write a myth, folktale or legend about how your Gargoyle came to be.

National Art Standards: Content Standard #1: Understanding and applying media, techniques and processes. Content Standard #3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols and ideas. Content Standard #4: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures. Content Standard #6: Making connections between the visual arts and other disciplines.