By Kendall Johnson
At Guyer, there are many clubs and classes that allow students to express themselves and let their creativity shine, such as knitting club, baking club, and Lovely Letters. It is always encouraged to participate in these organizations to make friends, find a passion, or even just pick up a hobby. One of the classes offered, ceramics, has definitely shown that students are able to reach these goals.
Ceramics is only taught by Ms. Watson, whose classroom is located in H hall. Students from sophomore to senior year can register for this class, if they have previously taken Art I. Through the lessons taught, students are exposed to new art techniques that include gaining experience on the wheel, throwing and handbuilding, and projects that the artists get to choose. Not only do they learn basic skills for crafting extraordinary pieces of art, they also learn strength and patience, as it can take several days or weeks for a design to fully come together.
Brooklyn Davis and Mikayla Phillips, both juniors, have been in ceramics with Ms. Watson since last year. “Ceramics is a very easygoing class. Mrs. Watson always gives us some time to get settled before class starts and she announces what we will be working on. We’re typically continuing a project, as each project can last up to a few weeks,” Davis said. When starting a project, the brainstorming process is a lengthy one. Ms. Watson usually starts by showing examples of completed pieces, whether it be pictures or videos. By doing this, she hopes to inspire the students and allow them to create the best piece of art possible. “Once you get started, Ms. Watson may give you some suggestions or recommendations on your art piece,” Phillips added. As soon as the students have an idea of what they want to create, they can begin to decide if they want to build it by hand or use the potter’s wheel to assist them. Overall, the artists receives free range to decide what they want to create. “Ms. Watson may want us to create a coil project, but we have to decide if we want to make it a bowl or a vase, for example,” Davis explained.
Something Phillips and Davis have both learned in ceramics is how to throw on the potter’s wheel. This is when the artist molds clay with their hands to form some sort of object, whether it be a vase, pot, or even a mug. “Things are very fast paced on the wheel, and you have to make sure the clay has the right amount of moisture and isn’t too wet or dry,” Davis said. It can be very time-consuming, as the students also have to make sure their clay won’t crack and dry when they leave it out. It takes a lot of patience to create something in ceramics class, as it is required to always be aware that the clay isn’t getting too dry or cracked. “Although it gets tedious, I’ve learned it’s good to be patient with your project because they always turn out better,” Phillips shared.
Davis and Phillips have both thoroughly enjoyed their time in ceramics. However, Phillips is planning on expanding her horizon next year to try something new instead of ceramics. “I would definitely recommend this class to anyone that loves to make sculptures and 3D objects rather than 2D ones. It is also just really fun and the teacher is great too,” she said. Davis also commented. “I would recommend this class to everyone, as we are all capable of creating because art has no limits. I also really enjoy the luxury of getting to create something of my own that’s unique. Not everyone has access to a class like ceramics with two kilns, multiple potter wheels, and other expensive equipment,” Phillips concluded.
Taken from Ms. Watson’s Instagram, work by Madysen Harshman
