DHS Throwing Wheel Supplies
Roger Sprau
Parts for the DHS Art Department throwing wheels are being requested to allow for more students to experience creating artwork using a throwing wheel. Cart shelving is also being requested in order to have more space for student project storage.
During the 2022-2023 school year two of the six throwing wheels in the art room broke. Students were required to complete at least two days of wheel throwing for a participation grade. Practicing two days of wheel throwing allows students to be able to use this technique for future art projects. Because of two wheels being in disrepair, students did not have enough time to complete the assignment in two days and many did not get as much wheel throwing practice as they would have liked to.
All six throwing wheels have some sort of damage and need to be repaired. Throwing wheels are expensive so it is important to keep them in good repair for future use. All six wheels need new fuses and on/off light indicators. Three wheels need new on/off switches. Two wheels have faulty fuse holders and one wheel needs a new foot potentiometer. After receiving a quote from the manufacturer, some parts are unfortunately discontinued. Throwing wheels will still function without these discontinued parts. See attached Rovin quote for details.
Repairing all six throwing wheels will give students taking Ceramics classes the opportunity to practice and begin to master creating clay sculptures on a throwing wheel. Successful wheel throwing takes much persistence and practice. Having all 6 wheels in working order will allow for students to practice their skills more frequently.
During the 2023-24 school year, two students will be planning on facilitating the “Empty Bowls Project” - an international project to fight hunger, personalized by artists and art organizations on a community level. The money raised is donated to soup kitchens, food banks and other organizations fighting hunger locally. Students will be able to produce bowls more efficiently using working throwing wheels for the “Empty Bowls Project”. Not only will repaired wheels benefit students, but the community as well.
Lastly, there are three storage carts students use to organize their supplies and projects. A total of five plywood board shelves are missing from the carts. Plywood boards purchased from Menards will be able to fit in the missing places, giving students more room for project storage.
Additional grant details here : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pqNtexaMLyR2M-Db-vLO410tyyqnGJEI/view?usp=sharing