Update on Ceramics- Pinch Pots!

On Friday at four pm the little ceramic projects came out of the kiln, at Finger lakes Community College.  I am an adult learner art student, embarking on an adventure in ceramics, in case you are new to my blog.

I was interested to learn that the kiln has to run at a very high temp--1600F or so for 24 hrs to change the chemical composition of the pots so that they are no longer "greenware".  I am unsure of the exact temperature, but fortunately the temperature can be monitored and the professor can control it via a computer.   There are different types of ceramic ware. There is earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, and all require a different temperature for firing.  We are working with stone ware.  My pine pot and the little bears came out of their second firing, post glazing.  I have yet to see how they came out.  But here is the prior to the second firing photo.  Tomorrow, on Sunday, I am going to go in to work on my coil projects and I intend to check on the pinch pots.


Pinch projects prior to glaze application: "bisque ware"

I applied a coat of blackish copper oxide on this also to darken it.

These are the glazes.

Update on pinch pots one year later!

What's a Good Bargain in Education

I am going to get edjumacated. Has anyone noticed the dichotomy of philosophical viewpoints? That is the arrogant vs the bargain basement mentality regarding educational systems. What I am trying to say is that some people really look down their noses at the community college system. Sociology 101 is sociology 101 where ever you go!

I first encountered this in 1979. I was a arrogant little dr's daughter and I chose to go to Ithaca college. I later transferred the credits I earned to flcc when I pursued my nursing degree. in 1979 I could have received a continuation of my education---psych, sociology, into to the college level sciences at flcc. Instead I went off to the fancy school and withdrew.

When my kids went off to college--Natalie could not decide between Cornell and flcc. Cornell bribed her with a camping trip, so she went there. Natalie is not pretentious.

The four year private school is a racket. It plays on parent's pride. Thousands of dollars are raked into these institutions because a parent wants to brag the fact that their child is a success. It is a major status statement! Well, he might become successful, but has he learned to play the game or to think on his own? I paid 16,000 dollars for my daughter to go to Cornell and I am very proud of her. She excelled. My son went to Flcc and he makes more than she does. He is an agricultural worker for a famous grocery store chain. I was lucky that because my daughter was so gifted she received grant money. I am equally blessed that I was able to pay for my son's education right out of pocket.

Some say that a community college is a junior college- a continuation of high school. I have been to Hobart William Smith and Ithaca and I don't see the great chasm of quality that would be expected for the price difference.

All the profs want to see you go on to get a four year degree. That is a good thing. I think that the community college is a wonderful institution. It is an equalizer in this world of financial inequality. I don't think that the education is of a lesser quality.