Ceramic Arts Education Grants

 

Purpose of Clayfolk’s Ceramic Arts Education Grants

  1. Provide assistance to local public or non-profit ceramics programs. Support in this program specifically focuses on the purchase of ceramic supplies, books, tools, and/or equipment.
  2. Foster a passion for ceramic art and cultivate the next generation of ceramic artists, so we can continue to grow the vibrant, inclusive, and innovative group of ceramic artists that is Clayfolk.

Grant Application Process

  • Part 1 – Candidates eligible for support will include local public or non-profit ceramics programs within the Clayfolk general membership area. To be eligible, applicants must submit a letter briefly describing their program, the resources requested, how it would be used, and a time frame for implementation.
  • Part 2 – The amount available for grants will be established on an annual basis by the Clayfolk Board. Individual grant applications will be compiled by the Education Grant Chair and recommendations made to the Board. Approved grant(s) will be issued to grantee by Clayfolk via check and/or donation of books, supplies, tools or equipment.
  • Part 3 – Grantee will certify that the grant was used to directly support ceramic arts educational programs and provide photos of how the grant was used, as a form of acknowledgment and documentation.
  • Part 4 – Photos of winning grant(s) will be posted on Clayfolk website for public display and promotion, and shared with individuals responsible for Clayfolk social media. All photos will be filed for future reference.

 

Recipients of the Ceramic Arts Education Grants

 

Year 2026

 

Umpqua Valley Arts – Noelle Black Education Director

Thank you so much for awarding Umpqua Valley Arts a 2026 Clayfolk Ceramic Arts Education Grant. This support directly contributed to the growing Teen Clay program we started this year.
 
Below, please find a description from our Clay Place Coordinator, as well as photos attached:
 
In our original request, we intended to purchase a pop-up spray shelter, two large bead racks, replacement wire sets for the racks, and Mayco Stroke & Coat glazes, and we were able to secure all of these items plus more. The bead racks have been allowed more artists to create jewelry and hanging works. Attached is an image of some of the recent works made using these bead racks. The pop-up spray shelter has allowed artists in the studio to be more ambitious with the size of their work and put more even coats of glaze on their work with minimal clean up. Due to the timing of the grant, we had already purchased a set of Mayco Stroke & Coat glazes prior to being awarded the funding but decided to purchase a second set anyways. We have found that returning students in our Teen Clay Open Studio have become more ambitious with their projects, meaning they need more glaze to finish their pieces. This second set will allow us to stay stocked through future sessions without having to put limitations on the student’s creativity. Due to costs of these items being less than anticipated, we were able to also secure two additional items using the grant. The first was a Ceramic Precision Applicator kit, followed by a pint of black Mayco Stroke & Coat. In our main studio, many participants have wanted to explore more illustrative surface decorations on their work and though we have a variety of engobes made in-house and brushes, they do not provide the same ability for precise illustrative work that the applicator and the Mayco glazes have provided. These applicators will also give artists the chance to try detailed slip trailing, as the applicator can be used for slip as well. We’ve included select images of finished and in-progress work from both our teen and adult open studios who have utilized these tools.
 
 
Thank you again for your support. We are grateful for your assistance towards supporting young artists in their making and learning at UVA’s Teen Clay program.

Talent Maker City

Click Here to see The Talent City’s reply

Willamette Arts Center –  Josie Hummert

We finally received the stools and used them at our monthly Family Clay event this last weekend. It was so good to have enough seats for everyone. It’s been a struggle up to this point.  
 
I’ve attached some pictures of our teenage volunteers using the stools and a picture of the style we chose to order. 
 
With your grant we were able to order 18 of these 18″ stools in a red, blue, and green. 
 
Thank you so much!
 

 

Year 2025

 

Siskiyou School – Ceramics’ teacher Lindy Kehoe

Lindy Kehoe used her own materials (pending receipt of the grant money, due to the timing of her Spring classes) and taught her seventh and eighth grade students how to do pressings with clay, using natural materials such as leaves, sea shells, ferns, etc.. They also learned to shape their pieces and glaze them to bring out the details of the imprints.  Lindy is developing additional coursework and will update us on additional specifics of how the grant funds will be used.

The following pictures are of the student’s work.  Click on the picture to enlarge.

The Umpqua Valley Arts Association – Monica Stanfield, Director

Monica Stanfield has indicated that the grant funding will be used to support Raku Classes, by providing much needed updated equipment and supplies, making the program more efficient and able to serve more students. They will be purchasing multiple galvanized steel buckets and Raku glaze buckets with lids. The steel buckets are critical as they are used during the firing process. Students put their pots in the buckets after the firing process to ignite combustible materials and create amazing effects on the glazes. Many old buckets are damaged and need replacement or are missing lids. The Raku glaze buckets allow for proper storage so they don’t dry out and maintain usable consistency. Both items are invaluable to allow these types of classes to happen.

Click on the picture to enlarge.

 

Year 2024

 

Innovation Academy

Innovation Academy is a hopeful option for students who thrive in smaller settings with hands-on learning. The school continues to be open to  9-12 graders.

Project-based learning allows students to learn through projects, tackling several content areas at once. It caters to students who benefit with a more hands-on approach to learning.

Kiln given.

The following pictures are of the student’s work.  Click on the picture to enlarge.