Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Jan/Feb 2018 | Page 10

New kilns broaden arts education for UCPS students
Nicole Crowley
has worked as
an art teacher
in Porter Ridge
schools for the past
12 years.
And every
single year, she
always wished for
one thing: a kiln
for her Porter Ridge
High art class
that will provide
her students with
an opportunity
to finally create
artwork made of
clay.
So when she
found out that her
wish will finally
come true this
year, courtesy of
donations from
the Union County
Community Arts
Four schools will receive new kilns this
Council (UCCAC),
school year, courtesy of the Union County
she said she was
Community Arts Council. The kilns, which
“ecstatic and
have been donated to 10 schools during the
beyond excited.”
last two years, help to broaden arts education
“This is
for UCPS students.
something that I’ve
been hoping and
wishing for,” Nicole said. “This is like Christmas for an art teacher.”
UCCAC Executive Director Barbara Faulk said during the past
two years, the arts council has donated several kilns to Union
County schools that include South Providence, Weddington Middle,
Wolfe School and more. The most recent round of donated kilns
will be installed this year at Porter Ridge High and New Town,
Rocky River and Prospect elementary schools.
“When we started talking about how we can further support
arts programs in the schools, we came up with the kiln idea.
Since 2015, we have given 10 kilns to elementary, middle and
high schools,” she said. “They are very excited to have them --
it opens up a whole new art program for them in their schools
because they are able to create permanent art pieces. It’s another
avenue for a hands-on experience with arts education.”
Kilns, Nicole said, are “big ovens” that will allow her students
to cook art pieces made of clay that can then be glazed, painted,
etc. There is another kiln at Porter Ridge High, she added, but
traveling to the other side of the school with clay pieces left many
of the art pieces broken and ruined.
“Clay is such a big part of art, and it’s going to broaden the
things that we do so much,” she said. “It’s a big deal because
the students love to work with clay and this will give us an
opportunity to actually do that in our room.”
Barbara said the kiln donations are just one way that their
organization works with Union County Public Schools to promote
and cultivate local arts programs.
8 • Jan/Feb 2018 • Parent Teacher Magazine 
“Research shows that SAT
scores, bullying and drop-out rates
are greatly improved when arts are
part of the curriculum,” Barbara
said. “And the kids love it. They
like the creativeness this brings
out, and we just think that arts
programs make for more well-
rounded students.”
As she sat in her art room
while her students worked at their
desks, Nicole said her students are
excited to use the kilns in future
art classes. And for many students,
she added, art classes are the
highlight of their day.
“This is an outlet for a lot of our
kids. And a lot of the students that The most recent round
I have in here, this is where they
of donated kilns will be
installed this year at Porter
excel,” she said. “To have a piece
of equipment that will stay here for Ridge High and New Town,
20 or 30 years -- and to be able to Rocky River and Prospect
elementary schools.
use this so we can broaden what
they’re exposed to -- will give them
an opportunity to do things they weren’t able to do it before. It’s
a big deal, and we’re really excited about it.”
–This article was provided by the Union County Public