Teacher and Technical Support

Tracy Krell of West Newton Elementary, Indianapolis, IN

Our 2007 catalog cover featured Tracy Krell, West Newton Elementary, Indianapolis, IN. who says “My kids will hunt me down to see their fired pieces. Their first experiences with clay in elementary school create treasures for a lifetime.” For her dedication to art education, Tracy is one of our heroes. To see more heroes and learn about new products, request a catalog. To stretch your classroom budget, we have packaged popular glazes in class packs that are available online and through your local suppliers.

Teacher Support
Teachers are our heroes. Because you inspire and educate children of all ages and skill levels in mixed media and ceramics, we support your need for product usage and safety information, as well, as formulating more non-toxic glazes than any other manufacturer in the world. Please contact the trained personnel listed below for questions regarding product usage and safety.

AMACO, being the primary supplier of Ceramic Clay, Glazes and Underglazes to the schools systems in the US, has always been very aggressive in constantly trying to improve not only the quality of its products but most of all their safety. AMACO was one of the founding members of the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), through which art products are evaluate, tested and reviewed by a Toxicologist to establish their safety and labeling according to federal regulations.

At AMACO, we were the leaders in safety by introducing the F- Series of Lead-Free glazes in the 1950s. However we did not stop there; we continued our research and were able to effect changes in every glaze and underglaze series we had– by matching color, texture and all other characteristics of the products available through the years– using Lead-Free formulas. We also introduced a large number of new contemporary gloss glazes, textured glazes and special effect glazes that were all Lead-Free.

As new technology became available, new Reds, Oranges and Yellows were added, all Lead-Free carrying ACMI’s AP Non-Toxic seal. As the awareness of the toxicity of chemicals and safe product usage has expanded, the glaze industry has had to work with a constantly shrinking list of chemicals in order to achieve the effects that potters want. Though the manufacturing process more difficult over time, AMACO is proud to claim that 90% of our products are AP, Non-Toxic and 100% are Lead-Free.

That’s our commitment to you.

Raku
We recommend that raku firings not be undertaken in the classroom for any elementary or middle school student. For highschool, raku firings should only be undertaken when adult supervision is present, especially when using an electric kiln. Remove raku fired pieces from the kiln only when the kiln is OFF.

More Raku Information…

Links:
General Glaze Information
Lesson Plans
MSDS Sheets
Raku Information

Technical and Product Support:
Steve Lampron: Slampron@amaco.com
Lori Jenkins: LJenkins@amaco.com
Luke Reynolds: LReynolds@amaco.com
Noelle Hoover: NHoover@amaco.com

Or call us, toll free, at 800.374.1600

For workshop, classes and ceramic gallery information
Contact Jeff Sandoe: JSandoe@amaco.com

For ceramic and classroom sales
Contact Diana Faris: DFaris@amaco.com