Professional Development

Diana Mackenzie, Lower School Art Teacher

I had an incredible experience studying the history and design of ceramic tiles in Lisbon, Portugal. I spent five days with a talented group of artists and designers from around the world printing with rubber block stamps on paper and fabric in a funky rooftop studio space, led by the artist and designer Lotta Jansdotter. We explored the city on guided tours in historic buildings, eclectic winding streets, and in colorful subway stations. We even learned traditional glazing techniques in a local tilemaker’s workshop.

Upon returning, I incorporated what I learned into a second grade ceramics unit. Students roll out their own clay slabs and cut them into square tiles. They have fun pressing different textured items into the clay to create an interesting abstract composition. The tiles are fired in our kiln and second graders hand paint them with watercolor washes and adding a clear shiny glaze on top to seal their work.