Sewing at Lane

Lane Tech is known for its history of macho tech classes - machine shop, auto shop, wood shop, etc., and I'm not sure if a sewing machine has ever entered a classroom here in our 100 year history. But thanks to local artist, teacher, and Wishcraft owner Candice Cummins, we have added a sewing machine to our repertoire of tools and techniques. After teacher and student sewing workshops with Candice, the students made modular paper sculptures and interlocked the parts together with slots, glue & stitches. Thanks goes out to Candice for helping us acquire the basics of using the machine and learning about some exciting new possibilities. Candice offers classes for adults and children at her Wishcraft studio around the corner from Lane Tech on Roscoe. Here's a link to her shop: WISHCRAFT

ProtoStudio Art Group

Michael Webster, an MFA candidate at SAIC, has been working with Lane Tech students at weekly ProtoStudio Advanced Art club meetings. They have done a number of exciting, contemporary projects ranging from metalsmithing at Lill Street, creating miniature curated art shows, visiting the School of the Art Institute, constructing collaborative speed sculptures, and making tape installations in the hallways at Lane. This has provided an enriching experience for all participants and observers. To find out more about the club at Lane, please visit the ProtoStudio website:https://protostudio.wordpress.com/

Metal rings from a visit to Lill Street

Designing an Exhibit


A Walk Through an SAIC Installation


Collaborative Speed Sculpture


Tape Installations

1-Hour Sculptures

This was some quick fun. The students made 3-D paper idea sketches in one period, then spray painted them.

Melissa Porter & Pit Firing in Africa

In preparation for our trip to Michigan, ceramic artist, traveler and teacher Melissa Porter came to share her experiences of doing pit firings in Mozambique. She helped to revive a lost local art there by searching for sources of raw clay, digging it out, experimenting with clay bodies, and working with locals to establish a small pottery industry to serve the community. So inspiring!
To see pictures of her journey click here:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=1e07f10eae702e41&sid=8AaMm7ds3bM2F3

Good Times in Michigan

It's getting close to a decade that we've been visiting Dawn Soltysiak at her amazing studio in Michigan. Participating in an ancient pit-firing, holding a chicken, petting a llama, checking out a barn gallery, and taking a walk through apple orchards are just some of the highlights. These photos were taken by chaperone Liam O'Donnell. Thanks to Mr. O'Donnell, Ms. Fidalgo, Dawn, Chuck, and a great group of Lane students for making it another fantastic trip.

Visiting Artist Judy Huppert

Local potter and Lane Tech parent, Judy Huppert, was our first visiting artist of the year. Her demonstrations made us excited to start up the wheels.

Cardboard Chairs

Amazing Chairs by Paulina, Kevin, Sophie, Faris



Carmen, Rob, Alex, Amanda & Abbie
(click pictures)

Stokin' the Kiln

Thanks to Jay Strommen, Sangeet Gupta, and Tom & Judy Sykes for sharing their knowledge and space with the students for a great wood firing.

Metals, Torches, & Soldering

Alex Agudo, a Lane Alum, brought his torches and equipment to help students learn the basics of metalsmithing - a fantastic workshop! Thank you Alex and Caravan Beads!

T-Shirt Design by Karl G.

Face Jugs