Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

HAMILTON— The clay thrown on the wheel changes shape with each revolution. In the potter's hands all is possible.

Kevin Carpenter and Sue Kemp were investigating the possibilities recently during the supervised open studio time at the Fitton Center. Instructed by Valerie McConnell, the pottery session is one of several offered weekly. Classes are offered from first grade to adult at all skill levels.

Linda Hanson, Fitton education coordinator, said the attraction to working with clay starts at a young age.

"Once you start it has almost an addictive quality to it. You want to do more," said Hanson. "It has a certain quality that attracts a lot of people. When you are a kid you are attracted to playing in the mud and sand, and you never quite lose that."

Some area children are regular returning students, having found their creative niche in pottery, as others find it in music or dance, she said.

Carol Waldorf, who teaches children through sixth grade, finds clay is the perfect creative medium for all ages.

"It's a great outlet to get out of yourself. You can escape into the clay," said Waldorf.

"Kids love to express themselves. You give them a piece of class and they see something different they want to bring out of it," she said.

The Fitton center offers hand-building and wheel throwing classes. Summer sessions begin June 30. Registration starts later this month. Scholarships are available.

For more information, call (513) 863-8873, Ext. 110; or visit fittoncenter.org.

Vote for this story!