Strathmore Totem 2015-2016

The Music Center at Stratmore in Bethesda, MD in conjunction with D.C. Metro, reached out to Ceramics II teachers with the hope of participation in a collaboration that would result in a 5 year instillation of totem poles lining the walkway from the Metro station to the Strathmore. 

Participants were to create ideas for totem poles related in theme and submit sketches along with maquettes to the panel. My students focused on a Space theme and set about to create two totems, one about Space exploration and one about the solar system. After our submissions we found out that our Space exploration totem idea was selected!

Students then were tasked with creating the totem, a 5'6" structure made from 200lbs of clay! It wasn't without bumps and hiccups, but through perseverance and problem solving the students pulled it off and the final piece was installed in June 2016!

Below is a slide show that chronicles the experience.