Pinch Pot Animals and Coil Mugs

With a brand new, state-of-the-art kiln, students at Booker T. Washington Middle School are learning the art—and science—of ceramics. Recent creations include a series of pinch pot animals and mugs. For the animals, students started with a mound of clay and then pinched and pulled to shape an animal. “This is an introductory exercise that allows students to problem-solve and figure out how to create something out of a ball of clay,” explains ceramics teacher Stephanie Cafaro. “It also introduces the chemistry of the kiln—and how the kiln turns clay into a hard state.”


Students next sculpted a series a coil mugs. “They wanted to make something functional, something they could use,” Cafaro says, “so mugs seemed like a great way to introduce coil building,” a basic pottery skill, and the kinds of glazes safe for drinking. Some students added texture to their coils, while others flattened them to create a smooth surface. Students also chose from three handle styles—a basic coil handle, cut decorative handle and coil handle pulled from a slab.


Pinch pot scorpion
, Shykeira Queen (8th grade)

Blue coil mug with two handles, Lyra Hopewell (8th grade)

Black coil mug with blue inside, Erick Tyler (8th grade)  


Pinch pot scorpion Blue coil mug
Black and blue coil mug