By Robert Fountain

For the Express

An exciting field trip to Woodcraft Camps with Native American pit firing and natural sculpture build on the day’s school agenda. Art Teacher Robert Fountain recently provided twenty Studio Art and Ceramics students of the Town of Webb Union Free School District with the opportunity to perform these artistic processes.

Pit Firing is a Native American inspired method of†ceramic firing that creates unpredictable smoke patterns on the work’s surface. First, students completed the traditional coil building of their hand-sized pieces with buff high fire clay as it is stronger than typical white clay and can withstand the thermal shock involved in a quick burning pit fire. Once the piece became “bone dry” or greenware, terra sigillata was applied. Terra sigillata generally is translated as, “sealed-earth.” Terra sigillata is similar to glaze, but different in a few distinctive ways. It consists of an incredible small amount of liquid plate-like particles that remain after days of water evaporation from a clay and water mixture. Sodium silicate is used as a flocculent to separate the clay particles and water into tiny plate-like particles within a large container. The water is poured off from the top and only a skimming of useful Terra Sigillata is the result.

The work after being polished and bisque fired was then placed within a 3x3x4 foot pit that was dug at Woodcraft Camps. Upon arrival in the morning the group began preparing the firing pit. First, it was lined with eight inches of sawdust that all 20 pieces were carefully nestled into.  Secondly, 12 inches of paper shreds were layered on top of the work to cushion and protect it throughout the firing. The third step in the pit preparation consists of layering kindling on top of the paper shreds. Lastly, students carefully filled the pit with some dry split wood and surrounding brush.  

The pit burned at temperatures exceeding 1000 degrees for approximately four hours. Once the fire was reduced to a thick bed of scorching hot coals students carefully maneuvered with long sticks through the coals to expose their ceramic work. Each and every piece retrieved from the firing was unique, dynamic, and successful. No two pieces are alike and all of the work remained intact. A pit firing encompasses a vast array of uncontrollable variables.  Thankfully, on this day all worked in the group’s favor.        

While the ceramic work was firing within the blazing flames and scorching coals, students worked in groups to construct Andy Goldsworthy sculptures around the Woodcraft grounds. Andy Goldsworthy is a British sculptor, photographer, and environmentalist living in Scotland who produces site-specific sculptures and land art situated in natural settings. Students were introduced to Goldsworthy through viewing his award winning Rivers and Tides documentary film. Goldsworthy regards all his creations as transient. He photographs each piece upon completion. His goal is to understand nature by participating in it as intimately as possible. His art involves the use of natural and found objects, to create both temporary and permanent sculptures, which draw out the character of their environment.

The students and instructor could not have asked for a better day. The morning brought a light rain while loading the pit, but the sun broke through as students began building their sculptures and made for a wonderful picnic lunch. Making our way around the grounds viewing the sculptures prior to 2:30 p.m. departure the inevitable rain caught us, but only to be met with wit and the opportunity to create. Students quickly laid down on the dock as rain gradually poured upon them. After hopping up students shared a laugh viewing the silhouettes left behind just as Goldsworthy’s. Everyone involved continually smiles about the day and is truly proud of their fine art.  

This educational field trip was an outstanding success and an experience that will last in students’ lives forever.  I thank Principal Germer and Dave Leach at Woodcraft Camps for permitting this opportunity. I would like to take this time to thank Superintendent Gooley, administration, staff, students, and the entire community of the Town of Webb Union Free School District for my incredible first year of teaching. I look forward to many more years of serving the Town of Webb School community as the Fine Arts educator.

I encourage you and your family to view art student passion at its finest at www.towschool.org. Please click the “Jr/ Sr Departments” tab found at the top of the page and then “Art.”. You will find a variety of slideshows encompassing the Pit Firing field trip, art shows, student work, and daily K-12 fun within the art room.

The writer is a TOW art teacher.