[Clayart] toxic, part 2

[Terry Lazaroff]

Vince;
 So true.  I knew what I wanted to do. What I needed was to know what tools I needed to master, to enable me the able to do, what I wanted to do.    Most of what I have learned to do has come from experience of trial and effort.   Our tools are simple, yet they are complex.   Learning to use them correctly is another adventure. 

Terry
Sent from my iPad

> On Aug 22, 2019, at 10:38 AM, Vince Pitelka <vpitelka at dtccom.net> wrote:
> 
> Dear Mel - 
> I certainly understand your frustration about institutional clay, but there are many colleges and universities where the art curriculum still supports a rigorous approach to fine craft, including utilitarian clay.  I have not updated the survey I did about ten years ago, but I know that there are still many fine potters teaching in academia and perpetuating the art of functional pots.  I also believe that things like this go in cycles, and many young students in college today are craving craft skills.  When I say that, I am not just referring to the fine crafts - I mean craft skills in painting, printmaking, sculpture, etc.  I suppose the program where I taught is an exception, because we proudly placed a strong emphasis on craft skills in all media (including painting).  
> 
> It is the responsibility of every student to do their research and make sure that the program they choose offers the curriculum they want.  There are too many instances of students enrolling in a university program only to find out that the information and skills they seek are not part of the curriculum.  
> - Vince
> 
> Vince Pitelka
> Professor Emeritus, Appalachian Center for Craft
> School of Art, Craft & Design, Tennessee Tech University
> Now residing Chapel Hill, NC 27516
> vpitelka at dtccom.net
> www.vincepitelka.com
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clayart [mailto:clayart-bounces at lists.clayartworld.com] On Behalf Of mel jacobson
> Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2019 7:55 AM
> To: clay <clayart at lists.clayartworld.com>
> Subject: [Clayart] toxic, part 2
> 
> my editorial was about institutional clay.  that is dead.
> what we do as individuals, esp among women working at home is alive the growing.  no string wrapped around us at home.
> 
> making pots will more than survive...we will be a the front lines teaching this next batch of people that have been deprived of the joy of making things.  we see it in wood working...glass, even some have given up sending their quilts to india or china and pay to have them made.  they know it is immoral to call a quilt made on a long arm machine their own.
> 
> i started making pots yesterday that will go into the gas kiln.
> cone 12.  got that pug mill going...full of clay.
> no one tells me what to do, how to do it, or what water to add to my clay. i make glaze..have for 60 years...and i will for a long time to come. my customers flock to my sales...they love my pots.
> 
> my newish walker pug mill will be driven to the farm on saturday.
> former student with big truck and low trailer will handle everything.
> a walker pug mill is dangerous...whoooowhooo...so is a car, so is a chain saw, so is dope and booze.  but the same kids that cannot have a pug mill in their class at school are loaded with dope and booze. hmmm, interesting.
> and, have very powerful cars.  over 40,000 people died on the roads and many thousands of kids die of drugs and booze...`but, well, what can we do?, that is a huge issue...lets talk about toxic clay....(normal government employee or pol.)
> 
> when i was a kid we had to wash all fruit with soap and water...the germs for polio was on fruit.
> 
> the institutions are in `self destruction`.  good for them..it is time.
> 
> the great teachers will survive...they have laid the foundation for great programs...it is just not good when they die or retire...nothing remains.
> mel
> 
> website: www.melpots.com
> 
> 
>