Knowing how to clean up and how to store clay Cleaning up clay Knowing how to clean up and how to store clay Art by Banksy

Making sure we know how to clean up We want to make sure that we leave the studio in good condition, and that we don’t waste the clay nor block up the sinks. Clay is very dusty when dry and it is not good for us to be breathing in that dust so we need to clean up our work areas well. We want to reduce our ecological footprint so we will try not to use excessive numbers of paper towels in the process.

This is part of the curriculum “demonstrate an understanding of safe and conscientious practices associated with the use of materials, tools, and technologies in visual arts, and apply these practices when creating and/or presenting art works (e.g., use appropriate precautions when dealing with hazardous materials; adopt protective measures when using sharp tools; keep their work space clean and free of physical and other hazards; demonstrate respect for classroom facilities, tools, equipment, and technological devices)”

Test to make sure you know this procedure You will complete the worksheet and when you are ready you can ask to write the quiz so that I know you have understood the clean up process and that you know how clay objects are constructed

Before you get going you need to know that we have a responsibility to keep our environment green What we make in art can impact the water we drink and the air we breathe so we have to know how we can be environmentally green.

Why are we studying this in art? It is part of Ontario’s visual arts curriculum: “demonstrate an understanding of how the production and presentation of art works can affect the environment, and apply environmentally responsible practices when creating and presenting art works (e.g., use recycled materials where possible; separate recyclable and hazardous materials from their waste; limit the use of environmentally hazardous substances or non-sustainable resources)” You need to know how being an artist impacts the environment.

So we will try to reduce the number of paper towels we use We will attempt to reduce the number of paper towels we go through by using cloth rags. We will also try to reduce the amount of clay that goes down the sink so it doesn’t get blocked up. These measures help keep our studio in good condition and help us make less of a negative impact on our environment.

Rinsing in 3 buckets We need to make sure that we remove as much clay from our cloths and hands before we wash them in the sink. There will be three buckets for you to rinse these in first. The first bucket will collect the majority of the clay residue, then the second will help remove the clay that is left and the third will help to significantly reduce any clay that might go down the sink. Please make sure that you follow this procedure. If the sink gets blocked up we have to call a plumber and it will delay our use of the clay and it will smell horrible.

Cleaning off the desks You need to rinse out a cloth well and wipe down the tables. This may take 3 or 4 tries. Make sure you rinse the cloths well first otherwise you just spread the clay around (just like the pink residue in “The Cat in The Hat Comes Back” for all of you who might remember that story from when you were little)

Putting the tools away It is important to put away the tools in a place where we can find them and so we can keep them in good shape

Putting the clay away If you run out of time to finish your project and you want to keep your clay workable you need to wrap it in a damp cloth. Once you have done this, you need to put it in a plastic bag to keep it soft until the next time you get a chance to work on your project. Finally you should put it into a container so it doesn’t get squished or damaged. Next, put it on the shelf in the back and make sure your name is on the container. They all look the same when they are in the plastic containers.

What about the left over clay? If you still have clay that hasn’t been used and is still very workable it needs to go back into the plastic bag where you originally got your clay. The bag needs to be closed so the air doesn’t dry it out. If the clay is dried out, then it needs to be put into a separate bag. That clay will have water added to it, and it will be mixed up, and then wedged so it can be re-used.

Hanging up the towels and being environmentally conscious You need to make sure you hang the cloths you have rinsed well up to dry so they don’t get smelly and moldy. When we use cloth towels we don’t throw out as much into our landfill sites. Please help us save this planet.

Taking care of yourself Once the clay is cleaned up you need to rinse your hands in the three buckets and then wash them off in the sink. It’s a good idea to use a moisturizer as clay can really dry out your skin.

Everyone’s responsibility The condition of the entire studio is the responsibility of all of us together. Even if you have cleaned up your own area you need to help to make sure that the whole room is back to a clean, workable, tidy space. Help each other out. Sometimes it gets really busy or something goes wrong and you need help. Please look around and see how you can help out your classmates.