1. Clay Totem Pole
8th Grade Art Project

2. Objectives/Goals of this Project
Understand the role totem poles have played in Native American culture.
Students will create a 2-sided totem that will be added to a class totem pole.
Demonstrate clay construction techniques – slab construction, additive/subtractive techniques, slip/score, glaze

3. What is a Totem Pole?
A carving of Western Red Cedar Trees by Native Americans in the Northwest Pacific area.
Totems are both artistic and cultural.
Totem poles are sculptures that tell history and stories of:
Native American clan lineage
Legends
Notable events

4. Totem Poles Continued
Totem poles were not objects of worship, but rather used to tell history.
It is argued that the most important totem is at the bottom, supporting all others. Others believe the most important is at the top.
No evidence that totems existed before due to decay of the trees. Oral history claims the making of totem poles goes back to before Europeans arrived in America.
Meanings vary depending on the Native American tribe.

7. Your Assignment:
Create a totem out of clay that will get added to the class’s totem pole.
This totem should reflect TWO ideas that represent you – who you are as a student at Hiawatha and what you want others to know about you.
Develop two sides of the totem in two different sculpting techniques.

8. Examples

9. Examples continued