May 2023 – The Riverdale Art Department recently concluded its annual Barrel Burn Pottery and Sidewalk Chalk Challenge Day, where the realms of art and STEM merge in an exciting art lesson. The event centered around the ancient technique of barrel firing pottery, a low-temperature process that has been utilized for thousands of years due to its simplicity. Students interlaced small combustibles like wood, sawdust, and bark among the layers of pottery within a barrel. As the wood ignited and smoldered away, a delightful array of pottery pieces and ashes awaited them at the barrel's bottom. While eagerly anticipating their pottery's transformation, the students engaged in a sidewalk chalk challenge, further igniting their creative spirits. It was an incredible celebration of creativity, innovation, and collaboration.