I am requesting two new Brent wheels, Model CXC Power for the Ceramics program at Truckee High School. This wheel model allows students to go either direction, which is needed for left-handed potters. This is also the same model our school bought three years ago so we would have more cohesive equipment.
Our ceramics program has grown so much over the past 5 years! We were lucky enough to receive a brand new Cress kiln two years ago from Excellence in Education and it has changed the scope of our projects! THS students are so passionate about clay and particularly throwing on the potter's wheel. They actually ASKED me to apply for this grant to request for two new wheels. Our studio is relatively small and it provides space to Ceramics and Art students. So floor space in limited. Right now, students take turns on two day wheel sessions. After two class periods they have to switch with another student. With two new wheels, students could be split into fewer groups and we would reach our space capacity for equipment. This would allow up to four more students to use the wheel EVERYDAY. Currently we have 4 newer Brent Wheels and 3 very old Scutt wheels. This would bring us to 9 wheels total. Students have the option to work on the wheels or handbuild once they learn all the fundamentals, so this addition would give students even more options who wanted to wheel-throw.
Recently, counselor's informed me we had around 250 student requests for Ceramics next Fall semester! I am hoping with some new equipment and eventually better storage our program could grow into a full schedule with a Ceramics teacher and an Art teacher. Having these wheels would greatly help us reach that goal! Currently, I have 32 students who all love throwing on the potter's wheel. The only equitable solution we have devised is taking turns. Which negatively impacts the length of projects and students ability to work in the technique of their choice.
Very little implementation would be needed. The wheels could be shipped as soon as April and students would be able to use them that very day! Three years ago THS funded two new brent wheels and it was a huge unpacking party! Students were so thrilled! I also have been asked numerous times from our local community to host adult ceramic classes. Having more wheels would make this idea possible.
I am the only Art/Ceramics teacher at Truckee High School. Although, we have funding from Prop 28 that I hope will allow our school to hire another part-time Art or Ceramics teacher.