Cynthia Bennett Harrell has been a professional potter since 2007. She is a multifaceted artist who has successfully combined her passion for pottery, physical therapy and painting. In the last 12 years, she has opened her Enthusiasm Pottery Studio to fellow potters of all ages from preK to seniors. She fosters an environment that embraces creative problem-solving, encourages people to express themselves freely, and challenges kids to venture out of their comfort zones to try something new. Her style of teaching allows participants to make their own decisions, including mistakes, as a very important part of their creative process and personal development. She utilizes creative methods to teach about the past and and what is current while planting the seeds for future generations to think and to change their world creatively. She is a charter member of the Durham Pottery Tour. ARTS-CURRICULUM INTEGRATION: (VISUAL ART) (HISTORY) (SCIENCE) (LANGUAGE ARTS)
Residency Seeing You, Seeing Me: Literacy Through Art
GRADES: Kindergarten-5, adults
Students will develop critical thinking and communication skills making representational self-expressions in clay or photography. They will explore the historically diverse interpretations and uses of ceramics. Individual work will be integrated into a collaborative exhibit to provide a stronger sense of connection between the artists.
*Minimum 3 days needed with each class/group for residency project completion. Residency Lesson Plan
Project Theme Options: “What a Face Mug,” “Storyteller Necklace,” or “Recycle, Reuse, Reclaim.”
Max Participants: 25
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Special Requirements: For clay projects, access to water is needed. Table for artist’s supplies, tables for students to work.
Fee: $187.50 per residency session plus supplies (ranging from $30-$150 depending on class size and project type)
Workshop Coordination for Fitness and Fun
GRADES: Pre-K – 3
Bilateral coordination accounts for the highest impact on academic performance. This workshop addresses Pre-K- 3rd grade students and students with special needs who have a difficult time crossing midline, or who experience visual spatial issues. Deficits in bilateral coordination, may cause a child to appear to be clumsy or drop items, use primarily one hand in activities, or switch hands during tasks that require a dominant hand and a helper hand.
Max Participants: 25
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Special Requirements: Classroom with open space for movement
Fee: $187.50 per workshop
*Artist will customize workshop to address special needs, seniors and school settings with curriculum objectives.
Workshop Connections in Clay
GRADES: Pre-K – 5, adults
Workshop instruction is fun and engaging from opening the clay bag to finishing the project. Students will experience an easy-to-follow step by step hand building method for fired or non-fired school clay projects for all ages. The aim is to encourage kids of all ages and needs levels to connect with their own creativity while having fun with visual, motor and sensory explorations. NC Essential Arts Standards and Common Core Standards guide lesson planning for school-based workshops. Teacher/ parent workshops are also available upon request.
Workshop Theme Options: Storytelling necklace, Secret Treasure Coil/pinch pot, and Constructing alphabet with clay.
Max Participants: 25
Duration: 60-90 minutes
Special Requirements:
For clay projects, access to water is needed. Table for artist’s supplies, tables for students to work.
Fee: $297.50 per workshop plus supplies (ranging from $30-$150 depending on class size and project type)