Modern Mythos: Stories of our time

A project with Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate

Modern Mythos: Stories of our time

Grade 11 History students at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate worked with the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery to create plates in the style of ancient civilizations, but with a twist. Each plate has a contemporary message. Plates were displayed at the gallery in July 2023.

Students explored how historic ceramics tell stories about the people who made them – and then reflected on our lives today.

How do you think we’ll be remembered?

What stories will define our time?

Plates by Grade 11 class, World History to the Sixteenth Century (CHW 3MF), in the French Immersion and Extended French program at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate.

The Process

View Lesson Slide Deck

1. Online Intro

During a live zoom workshop with a gallery instructor, students discussed artworks by contemporary artists who are inspired by history.

Students learned how to explore online museum collections to gain inspiration for their project, and created a visual mind map to develop their contemporary messages. View the lesson plan for more information.

2. In-school clay workshops

Students took part in 2 workshops with a gallery instructor who visited Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate.

During the first clay workshop, students learned how to make clay plates by rolling clay slabs and pressing the clay into a paper plate.

During the second workshop, students learned how to decorate their plates with sgraffito and reverse paper stencils.

3. Website design and artist statements

Students created websites to document their research, design process, and artist statements in English and French.

A selection of these websites are available to view by clicking on plates below.

4. Exhibition at the gallery

Plates were glazed and fired at the gallery. Finished plates were exhibited at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery July 6 – July 26, 2023.

QR codes allowed visitors to view student websites and discover what the plates represent.

The project was developed in collaboration with Mr. Arden Court, Geography and History Teacher at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate. If you would like to run a clay project with your class, please email:

camryn@theclayandglass.ca

The Plates

Click on a plate to find out more. A selection of students have shared links to websites they created in French and English.

Plates by Grade 11 class, World History to the Sixteenth Century (CHW 3MF), in the French Immersion and Extended French program at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate.