PCHS Inspiring Art

Art students at Parkland Composite High School are learning the joy of working with a new medium for artistic expression: clay!

Under the instruction of art teacher Mr. Kevin Dye, students are learning techniques in both slab work and throwing on the wheel. This year the Art Department invested in a new pottery wheel that students will use for years to come. This is a great new learning tool and opportunity for Parkland's art students.

Mr. Dye is passionate about sharing his knowledge with his students and his art room is always full of excitement during class. During the two-week online learning period, Mr. Dye built each student a unique base structure (as chosen by each child) which they would then add detailing and fine tune the piece upon their return to in-person learning. This required that the pieces were to be kept in wet paper towels and changed regularly to preserve the malleable nature of the clay. This required a great deal of time and energy, demonstrating just how much Mr. Dye cares about his students and his program by doing this for each student's piece. This goes to show just one of many ways PCHS meets student needs even throughout a pandemic.

Senior art student Jayme Rauch, who created her piece on the wheel, is now adding detailing before the piece is fired in the school’s kiln. Then the piece will need to be painted and covered in a clear coat. It will certainly look amazing upon its completion!