Clay stomp freize at the Rahr West Art Museum

How People Experience Art
Clay Stomp Frieze 2003

By the Citizens of Manitowoc guided by
artist Joel Pfeiffer

The clay stomp was fun for all ages.
People of all ages experienced a new very tactile art sensation for the first time. They had the opportunity to truly participate from head to toe in making two pieces of art for their community from start to finish: one for Manitowoc Public Library and one for Rahr-West Art Museum.
Participants in the Clay Stomp made five clay disks. Each had separate sub-themes interpreting the question:

How do people experience art?

  • Through the Senses
  • Through Texture
  • Through Art History T
  • hrough Nature
  • Through Artists’ Tools or Activities
Everyone got covered head to toe in clay.
Miss Manitowoc, you know some people pay lots of money for a facial.
Each disk started at 42 inches in diameter and was created in relief, so each one has a highly textured raised surface. They are glazed with a subtle range of earth tones matched with vivid cobalt blue columns separating each disk.
This will be a stunning welcome to the museum and a lasting reminder of the creative spirit that has spawned so many enduring artistic ventures in the Manitowoc community.
Creating textures in the clay.


This project was made possible through the generosity of those listed below
and the partnership of the Manitowoc Public Library, the MPL Foundation and the Rahr-West Art Museum.

Critical support came from:

Holy Family Memorial Medical Center
Rahr-West Art Museum Association Manitowoc Parks and Recreation Department
Manitowoc Noon Rotary
Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary
Manitowoc Sunrise Optimists Manitowoc Fire Department


Clay Stomp Saturday, August 2, All Day!