Education

School Visits

A visit to the museum not only provides a broad cultural experience but also allows children to explore more specific aspects such as local industrial history, science through the medium of clay, investigating its origin and its industrial and technical contribution to everyday life and particularly, clay as a medium for artistic expression.

• LOCAL HISTORY - Children will have the opportunity to explore an 18thC building, both as a domestic residence and as an active industrial site of ceramic production in the 18thC - 19thC which is unique to the South Wales valleys. The proximity to the Glamorganshire Canal provides an opportunity to describe its significance as a transport system in the 19thC as well as examining its functioning i.e. locks, role of horses, canal boats and the boat men and boys. The working conditions of children employed in the pottery in the 19thC are described and contrasted with the present day regulations and social and economic changes that have occurred since.
• SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY - The nature and origin of clay, its characteristics and the various techniques of usage are explained. The action of weather on rocks, how clay is obtained and handled to produce permanent objects e.g. hand modelling, modelling solid clay on a wheel, the use of moulds with solid and liquid clay, are all described with the direct involvement of the children. These aspects are illustrated by:
  1. Observing a video describing clay, its origin and uses in simple terms.
  2. Active involvement in clay modelling under the guidance of a professional potter.
  3. Demonstrations of slip-casting and the moulding of solid clay in the production of clay pipes.
• ART and DESIGN - Children are introduced to the beauty of Nantgarw porcelain, the translucency of the material is demonstrated and the fine, hand painted decoration is contrasted with modern transfer techniques. Children are given cardboard plates and encouraged to design and decorate a plate based on their own ideas.
• In this way a visit to the Museum relates to their school background experiencing in simple terms science, local history and artistic appreciation and expression.