Pottery Class: Day 1 Posted Jul-12-2005

Before Class Attitude (BCA):

I was totally excited about taking this class. The last time I remember working with real clay was in third grade when I made some pinch-pot thingy that turned into an “I love you Mom” flower holder wall hanging. (I remember that piece well because Mom kept it hanging in our kitchen well into my 20s!)

Wheel thrown pottery? Never done it. But Stella assured me that it would be a lot of fun. Plus her personality oozed patience so I was completely at ease with the idea. Besides, the course catalog noted that the class was “designed for beginners as well as those who are somewhat experienced in creating pottery on the wheel.” What a great opportunity to learn something new with other newbies!

Class Experience:

I arrived at the art studio 15 minutes before the class started. Stella was there getting things ready for the class. There would be five students total, and as each one arrived we introduced ourselves and warmed up with the usual “getting to know you” banter.

First there was Natalie*, who had already been doing wheel-thrown pottery for a year. Then walked in Lena*, who had a pottery wheel and kiln at home. Next was Gloria*, who came in to work independently on her own advanced clay projects (not sure if she was part of our class). Do you notice a theme here? These people were beyond somewhat, and I was the only beginner. That was until Tina* walked in. She was new to wheel thrown pottery, but had worked with clay before.

As class began, we all stood around a table where Stella cut each of us several pieces of “stoneware” clay and instructed us how to "wedge" (knead) it together and work out any air pockets. Next, she took a lump of clay to a potter's wheel and demonstrated how we were to “throw” it onto the center of the wheel (which is the only “throw” in “wheel thrown” pottery), and work it into a simple bowl. Through the demo she used words like “centering” and “coning” and made it all look quite simple. Afterwards, we were allowed to choose our own wheels and spend the rest of the class making bowls.

(Note: you can refer to the Learning to Throw page on the goshen.edu Web site to see photos of the techniques we were learning.)

“Okay, cool.” I thought. “This is it.”

I sat in front of my wheel, threw a lump of clay onto the center, pushed the pedal down (think sewing machine) and the wheel started spinning. Whoops, too fast. So I eased up. Too slow. Hmmm… variable control.

I finally found a comfortable speed and was mesmerized by my off-centered spinning lump. “Uh oh, what now?” My mind went blank. I already forgot what I was supposed to do.

For the first of about a dozen times, Stella checked on me and helped me get started. “Seal the base with your finger.” She motioned. I did.

The next hour was a blur, but I remember her visits consisting of:

“Brace your arms on your legs.”

“Turn the wheel faster.”

“Use this part of your hand.”

"Can you feel it off-center?"

“Yes, you can chuck that into your scrap bucket and start again.”

“I want to see a muffin shape.”

"No, not a poofy top muffin."

“No it’s okay…”

“Here, let me show you again on my wheel.”

“You’re doing okay Chris.”

“Yes, you can start again.”

“Too much water.”

“See mine, yours should look like…”

“Squash it down more.”

“Cone it up more.”

"Nope, you can fix that."

“Not enough water.”

“Look at mine…”

“Smooth that out more.”

“It’s okay if you just ripped the top off.”

“Do you want to try another?”…

Somewhere between the second and third throw my frustration level grew beyond my comfort level. I quickly forgot about the “fun” I was supposed to be having and lost my inner coolness. I just wanted to "throw" my clay at the wall and go home. My patience left me and inside I FELT like a third grader! Oh, my exterior was alright, I’m good at hiding things. I think.

It was obvious that others in the class (even Tina) were having a much easier time of it, and that made it even more difficult for me. They were all completing one or two bowls apiece, and I couldn’t properly do one. When you’re in a group, there’s always a certain level of “trying to keep up” so you can stay on the same page with everyone else. My first lesson: My classmates were already on a different page before class even began. I had to find a way to accept this truth and be “okay” with being imperfect (I can hear SARK now...).

After Class Attitude (ACA):

As I mentioned in the introduction, I seriously contemplated dropping this class. Fantasizing about not going back helped get me through the tough time I was having. I rationalized, “I’m taking this class for fun, not for frustration!” Who needs that?

Oh, yeah, it didn’t help that after class we toured an art gallery featuring some AMAZING stoneware dishes crafted by talented potters in the same studio. One set in particular reminded me of an antique tea set you’d find at a Tiffany’s auction. I remember standing in front of it while looking at the clay drying under my fingernails.

Although life IS too short to voluntarily agonize through such things, I realized that I’m taking this class for more than just fun. There’s an experience here to enjoy beyond my tiny frustrated mind, and there’s important things to learn that reach beyond a lump of clay and temperamental wheel. Everyone HAS to begin somewhere. And even if I’m the beginner, so be it. Others in the class were beginner's at one time too. They know what I’m going through, and as long as they don't point and laugh I'll be okay (or we'll really know what clay throwing is!).

I will go back. I will try again. And I KNOW it won’t be as hard as the first time.

And so I grow. (© 2005 Chris Dunmire) •

Next: Pottery Class: Day 2

*All fake names to protect the innocent, even though they're much better pottery makers than I.