Reforming the Pottery Class

By Madison Gillespie, Sports Editor

An example of pottery being made. By Oriel – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2024179

Susquehannock used to have a pottery class and its own kiln where students could create their own clay masterpieces.  

  However, this class has been removed from the curriculum guide and is no longer an option for students.

 Pottery has several benefits such as being able to find a creative outlet, getting rid of stress and much more.

  Junior Francesca Wright thinks that the class would be a good way to use the clay to express her emotion.

  “To get out your emotions into clay and mold it into art,” said Wright. 

Picture of someone making pottery. CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=510327

  Making pottery also is an excellent destresser since it requires a lot of focus, and outside distractions are reduced to a minimum.

  Pottery is also a great way for students to express how they feel by the way they handle the clay on the pottery wheel.

  “When you’re angry, just punch the clay, and you get a pot,” said Wright.

   Junior Erica DaMore also thinks that the class would be something that she would take if it was offered.

“How often do you get a chance to take a pottery class? Just do it,” said DaMore.

Art teacher Wesley Myers thinks that it would be a good challenge not only for the students but himself as well if the class was brought back.

   “A ceramics class would be a good new challenge for me as well. The college I attended offered two different clay courses; hand building and wheel-throwing. I took the hand-building option. On my own, I have experimented with throwing clay on a wheel, but I would need much more practice before instructing on it,” said Myers.

  Myers said that he has no idea where the kiln has gone that the school used to own.

  “I honestly don’t know when or why the SHS kiln was removed. There is evidence in the studio classroom that one was once here because of a 220-volt plug socket in the corner of the room,” said Myers.

After talking to the administration and also Southern Elementary’s art teacher about the old kiln, its location is still unknown.

An example of a pottery wheel. By No machine-readable author provided. Trevor MacInnis assumed (based on copyright claims). – No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=358079