Art from the earth: Wild clay harvesting, processing and meaning-making.

This article focuses on the development and implementation of an outdoor art therapy system using hand-collected wild clay at an independent educational farm serving neurodivergent and trauma-affected students aged 14 to 21. The project involved harvesting, processing, and firing raw clay to create ceramic artworks, enabling students to explore themes of transformation, maturation, and social identity through symbolic clay bead-work and other creations. The therapeutic process emphasized engagement with natural materials and shared experiences in nature, which enhanced interpersonal relationships, particularly among neurodivergent students. The article also contextualizes the clay work through archaeological and anthropological perspectives, highlighting the significance of bodily ornamentation as a form of visual communication and identity. Overall, the wild clay project provided a metaphorical and practical framework supporting students’ emotional development and resilience within an alternative education setting.