Creating Clay Turkeys with Pinch Pots

This past month, our middle school artists got their hands dirty—literally! Using the pinch pot technique, students crafted delightful clay turkeys just in time for the Thanksgiving season.

The process began with a simple pinch pot forming the body of the turkey. From there, students added creative details like textured feathers, expressive eyes, and playful beaks. Each turkey quickly took on its own personality, reflecting the unique creativity of its maker.

This project wasn’t just about having fun with clay; it also introduced students to foundational hand-building techniques, such as shaping, attaching, and scoring clay. Plus, it was a wonderful way to explore texture and form while connecting to the season.

What do you think about the way we glazed them?  

Why Pinch Pots?
The pinch pot method is perfect for beginners, allowing students to create functional forms with minimal tools. It also opens the door for endless creative possibilities, like transforming a basic pot into a festive turkey!

Our art room is now filled with gobbles of excitement, and we’re so proud of our students for their hard work and imagination. Keep an eye out for more fun projects coming from our middle school artists! 

Thanks for stopping by - Gobble Gobble, 1969

 

North Florida Fair Art Submissions-Maclay Middle School, 2024

Hello, Art Enthusiasts and Maclay Family!

Thanks for joining us to celebrate this year’s Maclay Middle School art entries for the North Florida Fair Art Show! I am thrilled to showcase the impressive talent and creativity of our students, and we’re excited to bring their work to the community in person and online. Honored to be able to share the work on our blog!

For middle school students, art plays an especially important role. This is a unique time when students are discovering who they are, exploring new ideas, and beginning to develop their own perspectives. Through art, they learn to express complex feelings and stories that go beyond words. It’s also an opportunity for them to experiment with different techniques, develop problem-solving skills, and build the resilience that comes with creative work. At Maclay, we’re proud to nurture our students' creative growth and support them in bringing their unique visions to life.

This year, our Visual Arts Department was fortunate to have over 20 submissions in each division, with each of our four art teachers contributing our Visual Arts will represent the school well. The variety is incredible, spanning from K-12 and representing a range of styles, subjects, and techniques. Below, you’ll find the Middle School projects we’re so excited to share. Whether it’s painting, photography, drawing, or mixed media, our students have poured their hearts into their work.

Social media is another wonderful way we’re connecting our students' work with family, friends, and our wider community. By sharing our students’ artwork online, we can extend this celebration beyond the fairgrounds, showing how art enriches our lives and fosters connection. If you’re able to visit the fair and share photos, please tag us @MaclayFineArts—we’d love to see your favorites and celebrate together!

Scroll down to enjoy our Middle School entries, and feel free to check out the links below to see submissions from previous years. Thank you for your support, and for celebrating the creative spirit of our Maclay students!

You can see the link below for other Fair submissions of the past. You can also search the blog for North Florida Fair and other post will populate:

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2022/11/north-florida-fair-art-and-maclay.html

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2023/10/north-florida-fair-art-submissions.html

Mrs. Daniel, Mrs. Hicks, Ms. Dressel, and Mr. Milligan

Yes, we’re rocking our Halloween group costume! Nailed it, right? 😊 Who doesn’t love a little Bob Ross? We just wanted to show you the friendly faces cheering on all of our amazing students in the Visual Arts Department.

Teaching art is our passion because we believe in the power of creativity to inspire, empower, and connect. Art allows students to explore their imagination, express themselves, and build confidence in ways that extend far beyond the classroom. We’re here to support, encourage, and celebrate each unique voice in our department, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Below is the link to see the elementary art for the North Florida Fair (2024) from Mrs. Hicks:

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2024/11/north-florida-fair-art-submissions.html

Fun Fact: My sister (1965) and I have been blogging about art since 2010, and we’re so glad you popped in to check it out! We feel ever so grateful for the opportunity to inspire and support students in the art room each day. Thank you for being part of this creative journey with us—your encouragement means the world!

Until next time, keep creating and exploring! 1969 (Mrs. Daniel)

 

North Florida Fair Art Submissions-Maclay Lower School, 2024

Hey Lower School Art Enthusiasts and Art Blogger Friends!

Thanks for stopping by to explore this year’s Maclay Lower School art entries for the North Florida Fair! Mrs. Hicks and I are thrilled to showcase our talented students' artwork in the North Florida Fair Art Show. We’re so proud of all the creativity, imagination, and hard work that’s gone into each piece!
This showcase is more than just an exhibit—it's an opportunity for our young artists to share their voices and gain recognition. Art is a powerful way for students to express themselves, share their perspectives, and feel proud of what they create. At Maclay, we believe that every student’s unique vision is valuable, and sharing their artwork helps build confidence, encourages exploration, and strengthens our school community.

Our Visual Arts Department was fortunate to have over 25 submissions in each division, with each of our four art teachers contributing our Visual Arts will represent the school well. The variety is incredible, spanning from K-12 and representing a range of styles, subjects, and techniques. Below, you’ll find the Lower School projects we’re so excited to share. Whether it’s painting, photography, drawing, or mixed media, our students have poured their hearts into their work.

And we’re excited to bring this showcase to multiple social media platforms! This helps more family and friends experience the art and shows the larger community the vibrant creativity our students bring to their work. If you visit the fair and want to share your favorite pieces, please tag us at @MaclayFineArts so we can celebrate together!

Enjoy the show, and thank you for supporting our young artists! Keep scrolling to see our Lower School pieces on display, and check out the links at the bottom to view submissions from past years.

You can see the link below for other Fair submissions of the past. You can also search the blog for North Florida Fair and other post will populate:

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2022/11/north-florida-fair-art-and-maclay.html

Yes, this is our Halloween group costume! We nailed it don't ya think =) Everyone loves a little Bob Ross. Just wanted you to see who all your students have cheering for them in our Visual Arts Department!

Mrs. Daniel, Mrs. Hicks, Ms. Dressel and Mr. Milligan

Below you will find the link to the middle school art submissions, take a look and see what we have going on in the middle school with Mrs. Daniel:

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2024/11/north-florida-fair-art-submissions_01546154631.html

Thanks for the support! xo 1969 (Mrs. Daniel) and Mrs. Hicks (our guest blogger Art Teacher friend)