Artist in Residence ~ Kids & Glass ~ Samples & Prep

I've decided that I need to make a sample panel & fit it in the window space

at Chugach Optional Elementary.

 

I've measured all 12 of the window spaces & they all vary slightly.

This needs to be taken into account as well as the firing schedule.

Depending upon the number of layers of glass & the fusing temperature

the panels could expand & not fit the space.

 

 

Here's a full size mock up.

 

I'm going to fire this at 1400 degree Fahrenheit

which is a tack fuse with some rounding of edges.

I use Denver Glass Machinery Kilns & supposedly they run hot

(I've read this on warm glass bulletin board)

so glass schedules always need to be adjusted.

 

 

 

I've made some accessory glass components:

milleforie in the rod pod (above).

 

 

Chopped them up!

 

Here's a close up.

The student artists will also be combining glass strips & stringer

for the rod pod.  I have a small kiln I'll be bringing to school so we can fire a few

components during the week & the older artists can chop them up.

I need to remember to bring goggles.

 

 

I'm planning on creating a bulletin board in the hallway outside the art room

so I'm making some samples to display such as stages of fusing at various temperatures.

Maybe I should make samples of glass stress / slumping at various temperatures?

I could probably spend a week with each class there's so much to cover so I guess I need to prioritize?  My expert art teacher/co-AIR, Eleanor is good at reining me in & helping me with simplifying the lesson for K-6.  She does it every week!

 

I have great handouts & a poster on reactive glasses from

 Bullseye Glass Company that I'm planning on displaying.

Throughout the week I'll take photos of the student artists working

and post those on the bulletin board so parents & visitors can see the process.

 

I've been researching & refreshing my memory on the minerals & elements

used in colored glass.  It's a very interesting read.

I want the students to gain an appreciation of the science, chemistry, & physics involved

in the art glass process.

 

 

Here's the piece post firing (1400 degrees F /18 min).

The edges are maybe a little too round.

I like the individual glass pieces "crispy."

 

We're using 4 striker colors. If you look at the pre & post fired piece you should be able to find them.  Each table will have containers with sorted colors & one container with the striker glass ~ a post fired piece is attached to remind the students what it will look like after firing.

I think that's the hardest part; visualizing in your mind what the color will like in relation to all the other colors that are stable.

 

There's sure to be some surprises!

 

I will need to consult with my cohort, Eleanor, on the texture.

Eleanor will be helping with the layout & design of the individual panels

as student artists complete their pieces.

 

We had at one time talked about creating the panels in a rainbow of color

but this became too cumbersome due to the number of students & time line.

 

So...I was thinking of color borders?

12 panels = 12 different color borders?

 

Here's a test strip of possibilities.