Clay Day—middle schoolers get lesson from potter Cliff Mendelson

MAY 2006—Using his hands and a bit of imagination, Cliff Mendelson taught Monhagen Middle School children how to create Native American inspired clay pots. The day-long workshop, “A Day in Clay,” is being offered at the school as part of Arts-in-Education programming.

Mendelson, an artist/sculptor and teacher at the Westchester Arts Workshop in White Plains, said his workshops help to enhance existing school curriculum and add a new dimension to the relationship between art, culture and personal expression.

While in art class, middle schoolers got a lesson from Mendelson on how clay was used in the Native American culture and then got to try their hand at making their own pots using a coil technique.

“The program is very inspiring and educational to all those involved,” said Mendelson. “I like to create a working artist’s studio environment in the classroom.”

Mendelson brought in actual finished work as samples for students as well as photos of Native American pottery designs to inspire kids.