Purposeful Passionate Pottery
At the start of the new Academic Year, 20 of our Scholars kicked off by gathering at the Potters’ Guilt, a charming studio, to participate in Clay’s Anatomy, organised by the 16MC Holistic Development Portfolio to introduce scholars to the world of ceramics and teach us the foundational techniques.
The workshop was led by the studio’s resident potters, whose expertise and down-to-earth demeanour created a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Their love of pottery was evident to see and their enthusiasm was infectious. Their warm and approachable attitude instantly put the participants at ease.
The session began with a brief yet insightful introduction to the process of creating ceramics, from shaping the raw clay to firing it in the kiln. The potters also walked the students through the different methods to shape the clay and the glazes used. They were introduced to key techniques such as pinching, coiling, and slab building, which would form the foundation of their creations.
The potters encouraged exploring the different methods, feeling the clay’s texture and understanding how each technique shaped its form. Each participant was handed a ball of clay, and just like that, our Scholars were on their way to becoming sculptors.
As the clay was pinched, rolled and patted into shape, the instructors went around to check in with everyone. The instructors were incredibly attentive and supportive throughout the entire workshop. They guided us step by step, ensuring that everyone felt comfortable with the techniques. They offered helpful tips and personalized feedback and their encouraging and hands-on approach created an atmosphere where mistakes were seen as part of the learning process, allowing the Scholars to explore their creativity with confidence.
As the workshop drew to a close, we looked around and admired each other’s creations. There was a shared sense of accomplishment in the studio as we cleaned up, knowing that soon we would hold the results of our hard work in our hands—functional art, made from scratch.
A big thank you to the 16MC Holistic Development Portfolio for organizing this wonderful event, and to Potters’ Guilt for not only hosting us but for sharing their expertise and passion with such warmth. It was a memorable experience that left us all eager to create more!
