Hooray for Clay

Tuesday March 4- Clay Gargoyle Lesson
Today we are beginning our clay unit. Here is the information I shared in the PowerPoint presentation. You can view it on my laptop if you missed class or want to see it again.

Many cultures throughout history have created sculptures of fantastic creatures. These gargoyles stir our imaginations, as they stirred the imaginations of the sculptors and carvers who created them.

The word “Gargoyle” shares a root with the word “gargle.” This comes from “gargouille,” an old French word for throat. A true gargoyle is a waterspout. An unusual carved creature that does not serve that purpose is properly called a “Grotesque.”

The most common belief is that gargoyles are protectors. They keep evil away from buildings and their occupants.


The best known examples are from the Medieval period. The carvings served the role of books, telling stories and reporting on life.

During this period most people were illiterate. The only documentation of the reasoning behind the gargoyles is in the carving itself.