An Introduction to Alsion’s Ceramics Club
Image credit: Allison Wallis
By: Allison Wallis
As the school year starts, joining Alsion’s Ceramics Club can provide a creative outlet for students to make pottery. Students can relax and connect with their peers while expanding their experience in pottery. This club is unique as it is the first student-run pottery club in Alsion.
Pottery has always been a part of Alsion’s middle school art class. Students were allowed to explore the domain of pottery through hands-on activities using techniques learned from lectures. Lectures were centered around the origin of pottery, different types of clay, and glaze combinations. Art classes also demonstrated techniques that are essential for creating vessels. Classes were held in the middle school’s art room, where students had the freedom to collaborate and connect. Alsion’s classes were taught by a former art teacher, who specialized in using the kiln, a furnace that fires clay into pottery. The kiln is a challenging object to use, since it has a variety of components that heat up to high temperatures. The kiln is currently broken, which is why pottery is no longer included in Alsion’s art classes.
Although today’s middle school does not currently offer pottery instruction during art class, Alsion’s Ceramics club attempts to revive Alsion’s pottery culture. Alsion’s Ceramics Club is run by two juniors from Early College who aim to teach interested students about the history of ceramics. During the meetings, students can participate in lessons, plan fundraisers, and create pottery during studio time. Lessons overview the three methods of pottery: pinch pots, coil pots, and slab buildings. Last year, students created pots or bowls based on the technique covered in the lesson. In each club meeting, there is time designated to create pottery. Students also use this time to chat and listen to relaxing music. Although last year students could only shape clay, the club aims for students to be able to glaze their fired vessels. Glazing provides students with the opportunity to personalize their ceramics with different colors and patterns. Alsion has a wide range of different glazes that create unique combinations when fired. Besides pottery, the club also fundraises for equipment such as tools, new clay, and glazes. In the past, one of these fundraisers was a bake sale to raise money for repairing the school’s kiln. Currently, the kiln is in the process of being repaired, but students can still create their own ceramics.
The Ceramics Club meets on Wednesday from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, starting in the main room. The club currently has open positions for students to join! Some of the activities include: making clay pots and hosting fundraisers. If you are interested, feel free to contact Allison, Amber, or Ms. Elena.