Newtown High School Blog

Sara Hill (Junior) traveled to New York City last week for the official awards ceremony of the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Sara was presented a Gold Medal for Best In Show, for her piece, ‘Psycho For Your Love’.

Sara is pictured with Ceramics Teacher Carol Pelligra, who was also presented a Gold Medal in recognition of her contributions to Sara’s achievement. This is the first time a student from Newtown high School has been acknowledged with this national honor.

Congratulations to Sara Hill and Mrs. Pelligra!

This is the literal translation of the Italian word ‘sgraffire’, and is the process that defines an artistic technique known as Sgraffito, in which coatings are scratched off to reveal colors and textures beneath.

Students in Carol Pelligra’s Ceramics course have been exploring a variety of Sgraffito techniques recently. Some students choose to follow templates, others choose to freehand their designs, and still others will combine both processes. After revealing the underlying surface, additional glazing will be added and the pieces will be fired.

Mrs. Pelligra enhances student appreciation of the skills will acquire by beginning each unit with an explanation of the historical and cultural significance of the materials and techniques involved. Finished work will be on display in the Newtown High School lobby.

Sara Hill (Junior) continued her legacy of artistic achievement when she was recently awarded The Potter’s Council Award for her piece, ‘Psycho For Your Love.’  The award was made at The National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition. Sara’s piece, along with other winning entries, will be touring the country for the next year, including a stop in New York City this summer where Sara will be officially presented with her award.

Sarah continues to explore her talents in the ceramic arts, and some of her recent efforts are displayed above. She is currently uncommitted in terms of a career direction. Her interests span from illustration to education, and even give consideration to tattooing. One thing is certain; Sara Hill’s future will include a deep connection with artistic expression.

Congratulations to Sara, and to her Ceramics Teacher, Carol Pelligra. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Newtown High School graduate Nicole Bounty has won first place in Ceramics in BOSS (Best Of Salve Students)  at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island for her work titled “Sprouting Leafpot.”

Video II students, Jack Champagne and Timothy Pierce, produced this short clip – C3G1_Ceramics featuring Art students engaged in ceramic sculpture. Sarah Hill and Maddi Middlebroo are interviewed.

Ms. Mary Ann Snieckus teaches this course. Video 1 is accepting students in all grades for the Fall 2010 semester.

An Italian word meaning, “to scratch”, and requiring artists to scratch away a layer of color to reveal another color beneath.

Students in Carol Pelligra’s advanced Ceramics class are producing a variety of pieces using this ancient technique. Pictured work (as named) is by Freshman Shannon DiIorio, Sophomores Kristin Grabowski, JoJo Wollman, and Rachel Rode, and Senior Katie Hunt. Mrs. Pelligra introduces each new technique with an historical and cultural overview of the area from which it developed.

Students in Mrs. Pelligra’s Ceramics classes have won numerous awards and scholarships in local, state, and national exhibitions. Perhaps one of these students will follow.

Next step: Firing in the kiln.

Alyssa Rodriguez recently signed an agreement with Davis Publications, Inc. for the inclusion of her ceramic piece, ‘Thunderfoot’ in an upcoming textbook. It is rare for any artist to earn this level of recognition. It is more rare for the recognition to come at such an early age.

Congratulations to Alyssa, and to her Ceramics teacher, Carol Pelligra.

Ceramics student, Sara Hill’s “Psycho for Your Love”  has been accepted for entry into the National K-12 Ceramics Exhibition to be held in Philadelphia, March 31, 2010 through April 3, 2010.   Selection for this juried exhibition is a very prestigious honor.  There were 1,161 entries this year, and Sarah’s is one of only 162 chosen for exhibition.  This piece also won ‘Best in Ceramics’ at the Scholastic Art Awards Exhibit at the University of Hartford last month.

Congratulations to Sarah, and her teacher, Carol Pelligra.

Michelle Rekofsky, Aileen Toal, and Maria Biondi are putting the finishing touches on their Pinch Pots in Art Teacher, Carol Skolas’ Ceramics class. Hand “pinching” is one of the oldest methods of forming clay, even pre-dating the 4,000 year old invention of the potting wheel.

Students learn of the historical and cultural significance of this traditional skill as they learn the subtle nuances of the material.

Hands-on History!

Alyssa Rodriguez, senior, uses clay ‘slip’ to attach a leg to her ceramic box. Sophomore Morgan Vadas displays her version, ready for the kiln. Both girls constructed their projects by assembling pieces cut from rolled clay slabs. This is one example of the many techniques students learn in Carol Pelligra’s Ceramics course. Nice work!

A decorative technique used in ceramics, and characterized by covering a fired object in successive layers of contrasting ‘slip’ (clay in liquid form), then scratching the dried clay to create designs by exposing the underlying colors, Sgraffito requires abundant patience and planning to produce a pleasing result. Read the rest of this entry »

Sophomore Emily Ashbolt displays Harvey the Hedgehog, and Freshman Nicole Wielebinski displays her ceramic Pig. Both young artists are students in Mrs. Carol Pelligra’s Ceramics class. Also shown are a Swan, by Gabrielle Amlicke, and a Turtle, by Cailah Carroll, both Freshmen. The Swan and Turtle were featured on the blog last week prior to a final firing in the kiln.

Students in Art teacher Carol Pelligra’s ceramics class are completing a project that required them to construct an animal-themed container with a lid integrated into the design. Read the rest of this entry »

Art teacher Carol Pelligra has developed a new project for her ceramics students this semester. After glazing and firing, these parts will assemble into a functional candy dispenser (pictured below), and serve as a model for introducing the project. Read the rest of this entry »

Students in Art teacher Carol Skolas’ Ceramics 1 class are exploring new skills by creating pinch pots. Jessica Collins and Katie Wallace (right) are revising initial efforts. Emily Nacewicz (left) displays her ‘almost done’ example. Check back here for pictures of the finished products.

Two Newtown High School students were recognized for individual achievement in the prestigious National K-12 Ceramics Exhibition held April 8-11, in Phoenix, AZ. Alexandra Avila’s ‘Scale Amphora’ [above, left] was awarded the Curators Book Award. Kristen Budd’s ‘Decorative Stoneware Platter’ [above, right]was awarded Honorable Mention. Congratulations to both students and their teacher, Carol Pelligra, for earning national distinction for our school.

The National K-12 Ceramics Exhibition will be held in Phoenix Arizona, April 8-11. High schools from across the U.S. submitted a total of 1,041 pieces to be considered for only 211 available spaces in the exhibition. Read the rest of this entry »

Art teacher Carol Skolas advises students about the finishing and glazing of their ceramic boxes.  Watch for a follow-up series when these pieces come out of the kiln. Read the rest of this entry »