4th Graders' Gargoyles are on Display at the Mason Library

A few times a year we share our work with the community at the Mason Library in Great Barrington.  Our fourth graders created wonderful ceramic sculptures recently.  All are on display until Memorial Day during regular library hours.  A great big thank you to Mrs. Kathy Plungis for supporting our ability to share student work with the community through the library.


Muddy Brook fourth grade artists learned about the history and meanings of gargoyles and grotesques on medieval churches and on architecture today.    Gargoyles funneled water away from buildings, protected people from evil spirits and reminded church goers to follow the church's teachings.  Grotesques did the same without  the ability to move rain water.  Often the stone carvers would show off their art abilities and cutting skill by creating fantastic and scary creatures.

                                      Mason Library  Photo credit: Kathy Plungis

                                           Here are some photos of students' creating their sculptures:      

 First students sculpted the body and facial features using the pinch method.  They were challenged to add expression!

Next they rolled coils for arms, legs, and tails.  Some children sculpted wings from slabs of clay.

 Students used the 4 S's to attach their additions:  score, slip, stick and smooth.

Finally once their sculptures were complete (or class was going to end) the artists posed their work.  The way clay dries is the way clay stays.  Once fired they became ceramic and are hard as stone, waterproof and cannot be turned back into clay.  Students painted their ceramic sculptures and added mica powders for shimmer and shine.  EVERYBODY was successful!  This project was a creative way to incorporate art history with assessing students' clay knowledge.  I'm very proud of Muddy Brook's artists.