Students will make a sculpture that is realistic, fictional or sculpt a figure in which body position and gestures create interest and suggest a story. Students will interpret mood. Interdisciplinary connections include arts and language arts.

Students meet artist Christina Bothwell from the Craft In America STORYTELLERS episode. Craft in America, the Peabody Award-winning documentary series presents a journey of the history, artists and techniques of America's rich craft culture. Students watch Christina Bothwell create glass and clay infused figurative sculptures and learn that she tells stories through her sculptures. After considering the meaning and making of these works, students consider the stories suggested in the artist’s works and then think about developing characters for their own sculptural artworks. In studio work, students use clay to create characters that engage a viewer’s interest and suggest a story.

Support materials include a breakdown of essential questions, key concepts, an overview of content, suggested activities, related vocabulary, discussion questions and worksheets for viewing the film, studio investigations, and reflection about and displaying completed artworks.