July 31–August 7, 1997

critic pick|art

Clay on Wheels

There's a truck roaming the streets of Philadelphia that leaves kids smiling in its wake — and it's not Mister Softee.

It's the Clay Studio's Claymobile.

The Claymobile doesn't need Rocket Pops or a tinkly theme song to entice kids. The 3-year-old traveling arts education program does it with clay: children can't wait to get their hands on the cold, damp earth and squeeze it between their little fingers, turning it into wacky masks or pint-sized tributes to their favorite pets. (Of course, there are some kids who still prefer to eat the stuff, but it won't hurt them — as one coordinator pointed out to me, "It's just dirt.")

Six days a week ceramists, college interns and high school teaching assistants load up the Fordwith clay and tools and drive to area schools, social service shelters, summer camps, community centers and teen detention centers that cannot afford clay art classes.

But why do kids need clay?

"It's a part of human history," says the Clay Studio's Amy Sarner. "All cultures have used clay."

People are hesitant to pick up a paintbrush and canvas, she adds, but"everyone can relate to clay."

The program started as a solution to a problem: many kids could not get to the Clay Studio's Old City atelier for classes. So the Studio bought a van with grants from the Knight and William Penn foundations, and covered costs for materials with donations from local charities and churches. Any remaining costs are paid for on a sliding scale by the host site.

In its first year the van visited six sites in Philadelphia. Two years later that number jumped to 30. Last year, with a grant from Campbell's, they added sites in Camden to their list. This summer, the van visited Chester.

Beginning Friday, the Clay Studio will exhibit over 100 works from seven or eight sites — including Isaiah Zagar-like mosaics created together by children and instructors. Though some of the pieces do sell (the gallery doesn't take a percentage), the show is mostly for the kids' sake.

"It tickles them to see their work in a gallery," says Clay Studio's gallery manager Devin Porter.

The Claymobile Show, Aug. 1-16. Opening reception Friday, Aug. 1, 5-9 p.m. Clay Studio, 139 N. Second St., 925-3453.

— Jennifer Darr