Montessori Clay Workshop Proposal Introduction

This proposal outlines my fourth year of offering a hands-on clay workshop for Montessori students. The program is designed to provide an engaging and creative learning experience that encourages self-expression, experimentation, and confidence through working with clay. During the workshop, each student will hand-build a set of seven ceramic dishes.

Because students will complete several pieces over the course of the program, two tables will be needed to dry and safely store their work between sessions. Program Outline: The workshop will consist of four sessions. The first three sessions will be 90 minutes each, and the final session will be two hours. Students will learn slab-building and glazing techniques while creating their own seven-piece set of ceramic dishes.

Session 1: Students will use the slab-building technique to create: • One medium bowl, 8 inches in diameter
• One large bowl, 10 inches in diameter
• One plate, 10 inches in diameter.

Session 2: Students will create: • One mug
• One medium-sized bowl, 5 inches in diameter.

Session 3 Students will create: • One soup bowl, 5 inches in diameter
• One soup bowl, 7 inches in diameter.

Session 4: Glazing. Students will learn about wax resist and glazing techniques. They will glaze and complete their full set of seven ceramic dishes. The final glazing session will take place at VIS Studio, 294 Harewood Road, two weeks after the last hand-building session. This will allow sufficient time for the pieces to dry completely and undergo their first firing.

Materials, Preparation and Responsibilities: I will be responsible for all workshop preparation and will provide the following: • Clay, boards, hand-building tools, glazes, wax resist, and brushes
All other necessary workshop materials: I will also oversee the transport of the students’ work to the studio and manage the firing process, including both bisque and glaze firings.

Each student will work with approximately 12-14 pounds of clay. Since this will be the students’ first time completing such an extensive set of projects, the final glazing session will require additional time, organization, and support to ensure that all pieces are properly prepared and glazed.

Budget

Facilitation and Transportation

• Facilitator fee: $300 × 4 sessions = $1,200.00

• Transportation and kiln loading: $90 × 3 sessions = $270.00

Subtotal: $1,470.00

Materials and Firing

• Glaze: $60 × 20 students = $1,200.00

• Additional materials, including gloves, wax, and brushes = $120.00

• Clay: 5 boxes × $120 = $600.00

• Kiln firing, including bisque and glaze firings: $90 × 6 firings = $540.00

Subtotal: $2,460.00

Total Cost

• Subtotal: $3930.00

• GST at 5%: $196.50

Grand Total: $4,126.50