Art Aide Expectations:
Art aides are expected to come to class everyday and be as helpful as they can during that time. Please do your best to follow through on all teacher requests and notify Mrs. Burris if you were unable to complete any of your assigned task(s). Please be a trustworthy asset to the classroom.
Everyday tasks:
* If you aide during a class that needs help (especially clay) work with students that need it. Make sure you move around the room and help all over not just the same 2-3 students all of the time. Do your best to show and teach, not just do the work for them.
*Laundry : put into washer, dryer and empty
*Recycle clay: put somewhat dried clay into the pugger, mix for 2 minutes, poop and bag
*Check and empty slip/ or replace bone dry buckets
*See if anything needs to be cleaned or fixed
On occasion:
*Load kilns bisque and glaze
*Fee slips
*Computer entry or other paper work
*Organize/ set up supplies/ materials
*Help with preparation of canvases
*Make signs
*Bring things to the copier/ office
*Sweep and mop clay mixing room(use a mask!)
Recycling Clay
There are 4 stages of clay Slip(wet/mushy), workable, leather hard and bone dry.
Bone dry clay is placed in the large buckets. When more slip will be needed the following day we fill the bucket with water and let it sit over night. The next day we empty the slip onto the drying table. The clay should be about 4-5 inches thick and should be flat. Tunnels can be made every 5 inches to help the clay dry faster. After 3-5 days the clay will be ready to pug. It is ready when it stops being sticky. If it is difficult to press your fingers into it it may need to be recycled again. The pug machine function handle should start in neutral with the machine off. Press start with the door closed and latched. It should run 1-2 minutes. You may want to check if more can be added after the first 25 seconds. When it is done mixing, move the lever to poop. When it is done, please hit the stop button (otherwise the motor keeps running). All clay shoud be individually bagged in clean sturdy clay bags and the end tightly wrapped if it is ready to use. The large bucket should be kept with the lid on unless the clay is particularly soft then do not wrap the clay just place it in the bucket with the lid off.
The drying clay needs to be checked regularly. Please cover with plastic if it is ready to be recycled.
Laundry
When placing items into the dryer always check the lint collecter and throw away any lint. When washing aprons with strings loosly tie the strings together before washing. Extremely muddy items may need to be rinsed in the sink. Usually 1/2 of a cup of laundry detergent is sufficient. Please make sure that everything is ready to go... the dirty laundry basket is in place for more dirty laundry for example.
Loading / Unloading Kilns
Always push the carts carefully. Large items should be carried as they may not clear the doorways. Watch for particularly wobbly items. If something happens to break please notify the teacher. Remember to handle especially bone dry pieces with care. Do not hold cups by their handles for example.
For bisque firing (find out which kiln Mrs. Burris wants you to use - large oval or new). Make sure all items entering the kiln are dry. They will look light tan and not feel particularily cool to the touch. Place same size stilts at 3 corners of the shelf and load with similar size items on each shelf. The items may stack or touch as seems reasonable. Pack the kiln tightly.
For loading glaze (new kiln only) always check the bottom of each piece. If the bottom has glaze on it wipe it off with a wet sponge. If it seems too thick, do not put it into the kiln. Pieces that are questionable can be placed on pieces of soft brick as well. If glaze runs onto the shelf it will have to be chipped off. Make sure you use safety goggles when chipping shelves. Kiln wash goes over the chipped shelves. It is painted on one side only(the side that goes up) with large brushes and should dry for a couple of hours.
Glaze pieces can be loaded tightly, but may not touch-they will stick together. Always place items with like heights under stilts with like heights to conserve space.
Mrs. Burris will always turn on the kilns.
When unloading the kilns place shelves vertically in assigned places. Place stilts of like sizes together in the cabinet. Use gloves as necessary. |
