19 May 2017

1610 Olmsted Drive

Asheville, NC 28803

Graduation Project Advisory Board

TC Roberson High School
250 Overlook Road
Asheville, NC 28803

Dear Graduation Project Advisory Board:

I have always had an interest in history and art. I am fascinated by the connection the two share.
I believe that often times history is best explained through artistic traditions and observation of
the mastery involved in a certain piece of art. Along with my interest in historical art, I am
intrigued by artistic methods and the way specific art is created, especially pottery. The goal of
my Senior Project is to master a basic understanding of creating pottery, gain knowledge about
historical pottery, and examine specific pieces of archaeologically important pottery. I have very
limited previous experience with pottery and hope to significantly expand my basis of
knowledge concerning the subject.

My research paper will focus on the historical, cultural, and practical aspects of pottery. I hope
to learn the values of pottery in artistic culture and learn a basic knowledge of creating pottery.
By learning basic pottery, I hope to discuss various techniques and designs that are significant in
various cultures and traditions amongst potters around the world. Along with this, I aim to
discuss the importance that pottery has played in history and archaeology, specifically in the
United States, but in other parts of the world as well. The resources I will use in this project
include literature, web sites, my mentor, and any trips I take this year to historical archeological
sites.

Through this project, I hope to further my understanding of the connection that art and history
share and learn practical experience in an unfamiliar art form. I aim to complete a series of
classes that teach the basics of pottery, and through these classes, learn practical skills pertaining
to this specific art form. While studying under professional potter Ann Jones, I aim to study Commented [1]: repetitive
various potting techniques and designs associated with specific cultures and traditions around the
world. Accompanying this, I hope to study and visit various archaeological sites that have
profound historical significance in our country and world. My mentor, Ann Jones, has worked at
Sally Jones Pottery in Montreat, NC for most of her life. She is very experienced in both the
creating and teaching of pottery and is incredibly capable of being a constructive and dynamic
mentor. I plan on spending at least 15 hours creating and studying pottery over the course of the
summer and during my senior year. Most of these hours will be spent at Sally Jones Pottery in
Montreat, but I also plan to visit historically important archaeological sites on the East Coast this
summer to assist in my research process. I plan on taking multiple pictures to demonstrate my
progress and learning experience over my time studying pottery. I plan to journal every time I
complete a class or study a specific subject related to pottery, including notes, experiences,
specific things I noticed, etc. I expect classes and materials to cost no more than $75 and they do
not require a liability waiver.

I understand that plagiarism is an illegal act of stealing anothers work for my own personal gain
and I understand that this is immoral. I understand my proximity to failure if I were to plagiarize
on this paper; therefore, MLA format will be used to complete it.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Sills

Attachments: Mentor/ Parent Consent