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Welcome to 
Clay It Up

Clay It Up is a multi-faceted day of clay to facilitate the growth of young ceramic artists and build the future clay community.

About the Annual Event

Clay It Up focuses on promoting ceramics education and enriching the clay experience for high school students. This one-of-a-kind day provides engaging opportunities and lifelong memories for future generations of makers.

Experiences We Offer

Benefits For Educators

Live Clay Making Competition

Collaboration Opportunities

Visiting Artist Demonstrations

College Ceramics Fair

Pottery Silent Auction

Virtual Student Exhibition

Commemorative T-Shirt Sales

Promote Your Department

Build Your Clay Program

Increase Student Performance

Showcase Student Abilities

Develop Student Confidence

Network with Ceramics Educators

Personal and Professional Growth

Student Testimonial

"I enjoyed Clay It Up, I found it a really good learning experience when it comes to time management and I also enjoyed the experience of having active judges in a competition format."

Meet the Creators of Clay It Up

Ryan Widel

Nixa High School

18 Years in Education

Visual Art Department Chair - Ceramics Instructor

AP Art & Design and Dual Credit Instructor (Missouri State University)

Education:

Specialist in Education, Teacher Leadership - Missouri State University

Masters of Secondary Education, Visual Art - Missouri State University

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ceramics - Missouri State University

Bachelor of Science, Art Education - Missouri State University

Awards

USSEA - Award of Excellence in K-12 Art (2020)

Exhibited Artwork in: "The Clay Cup VI: Vessel, Icon, Canvas" Juried Biannual 

Contact Info:

Email: ryanwidel@nixaschools.net

Instagram: @ryanwidel  &  @nixaeagles_3Dart

Joel Blackburn

Kickapoo High School

14 Years in Education

Visual Art Department Chair - Ceramics Instructor

AP Art & Design and Dual Credit Instructor (Missouri State University)

Education:

Masters of Education, Secondary Administration - William Woods University

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Education - University of Arkansas

*Studio Majors in Ceramics and Sculpture

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Contact Info:

Email: jtblackburn@spsmail.org

Instagram: @joelblackburnart

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