Introduction:
Everybody's dad does something out of this world and does it better than anyone else. Show your appreciation for your dad by sculpting for him a custom trophy describing what he does best.

Materials:

• Das Pronto air dry clay
• Clay shaper tools or any assorted sculpting tools
• Heavy aged gold parchment–for the trophy placard
• Gold Pilot Pen to be used by the teacher to letter the placard part of trophy

Directions:
1. Divide your clay into thirds. Form one third into a square or rectangle that is about 2 inches thick by 2 inches wide. This will serve as the base for the trophy.

2. Combine the rest of the clay into one lump. Form a standing figure to go on top of the base. The figure can have some dimension to it but it should not have parts hanging too far out in space so that when it is dry the parts will not fall off. If you need to attach clay to clay, be sure to slip and score the clay and this will insure the joints will be stronger.

3. If your dad is the best fisherman you might make a standing figure that is fishing. If your dad is the best football player, make your figure holding a football. If you can't think of a pose for your figure, make it simply stand. The placard that will be glued to the bottom of the trophy will explain what the trophy is all about.

4. On heavy gold parchment, write with a gold marker the description to go along with the trophy, e.g. "For my dad, #1 joke teller. Happy Father's Day". When the trophy has totally dried, glue the placard to the base. If you want to spray paint the trophy gold or brass etc., be sure to do that before gluing the placard to the base.

Art Terms:
Slip – a paste made of clay and water which is used as glue between joints
Score – before applying slip to clay, it is necessary to roughen the surface of both

Resources:
Topal, Cathy Weisman. Children, Clay, and Sculpture. Davis Publications, Massachusetts. 1983.

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