First Clay Project of the Year in Art

The 6th graders recently completed their first clay pieces of the year. They learned that "ugly jugs" or "face jugs" are considered folk art and were made by African American slaves during the mid-1800's. It is believed that the jugs were used for practical purposes as well as spiritual and artistic expression. They were created with scary often grotesque faces on them and were often used as grave markers or buried with their owners to ward off evil spirits. The 6th graders used clay coil construction to make their vessels and then applied facial features and other details to the outside.
They sure are expressive!