Fabrication of A Manual (Treadle) Potter's Wheel for Students’ Ceramics Productions

Abstract

Pottery is a versatile art form that has been practiced for centuries, requiring essential tools such as the potter's wheel for shaping clay. In the context of Fine and Applied Arts education, hands-on experience with traditional craft techniques like pottery can enrich students' learning and creative development. This study focuses on the fabrication of a manual potter's wheel specifically for students at Federal College of Education, Technical Asaba, aiming to provide them with a practical tool for ceramics production.   The Department of Fine and Applied Arts at Federal College of Education, Technical Asaba, aims to provide students with a comprehensive education in various art forms, including ceramics and pottery. Manual pottery making tools, such as the potter's wheel, play a crucial role in developing students' technical skills and artistic expression. The methodology for this production began with a detailed sketch and modeling which was later developed into constructed, molded, casted and fabricated parts by dimensions and design by the researchers’ and the support of technical assistants. By fabricating a manual potter's wheel designed for educational purposes, this study seeks to enhance the learning experiences of students and promote hands-on engagement with traditional craft techniques.