Erick W.

Christine Colby

Advancements in kiln technology have made it easier than ever for art teachers to integrate kiln art into their classrooms. As a high-school 3D art teacher, I look forward to the clay units in each of my courses because they engage my students like no other medium.

In an effort to push my kiln-firing abilities and challenge students with a new material and process, I added fused glass to my current level 3 class. I enjoyed watching students experiment, problem-solve, and collaborate, and it was just the challenge I needed to expand my skills and freshen up my curriculum.

I enjoyed watching students experiment, problem-solve, and collaborate, and it was just the challenge I needed to expand my skills and freshen up my curriculum.

Plaid Is the Answer
I have a basic understanding of fused glass techniques, and I wanted students to focus on color, shape, and composition. Keeping my limited budget in mind, I had each student create a 6" (15 cm) square design of geometric shapes that would be later fired into a mold to produce a shallow tray.

I needed a common theme that would help students visualize layering and the interaction of color, and plaid was the perfect solution. From ubiquitous flannel shirts to cozy pajama pants, plaid is a classic pattern with a rich international history.

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