Ceramics Classes Students Mature from Old Habits and Techniques

By Jacob Marbach (12)
Jacob.marbach@fwcsstudents.org

March 23, 2023

South Side High School offers an abundance of art classes, one class that doesn’t get the credit it deserves is ceramics. Ceramics class lets you be as creative as you want, you can even keep your bisqueware when you’re finished!

In the past, ceramics didn’t get the love it needed, there were not very many students in each class. Even though people choose the class, only a fraction would participate in doing the work due to the lack of interest.

“There is always a smooth flow of progress because it is not easy to jump into making pottery. The studio also changes and improves every year, I would say there is a steady momentum of improvement where everyone has unique experiences,” Ceramics teacher Jacob Piazza said.

Mr. Piazza even gives the students days to catch up on mandatory classes like English and Math.

The assignments are straightforward and overall creative. For example, Mr. Piazza will give you instructions on what to make, then you can make any designs or patterns to your work to make it unique. After you make your piece you can color it with glaze; there are a plethora of different glaze choices.

"Its very independent, meaning you can be as creative as you want while also following the syllabus," Tyler Cross (10) said. 

creativity is key in ceramics class, most students enjoy the flexibility of the assignments.

“In the beginning of the year, many students were too shy or out of their comfort zone in the classroom. Now that we’re wrapping up the year I can tell students are more comfortable in their workspace,” Colton Sprinkle (9) said.

There are eight pottery wheels and plenty of tablespace to make your work. There is one main sink to rinse off tools and to wash your hands, recently the school added an alternative sink meant for clay to circulate through so it isn’t harsh on the drain pipes. 

On February 8th, Piazza’s heart was touched after all of the pottery wheels were filled with students for the first time ever on his birthday. 

“In all of my years of teaching, I've never had every pottery wheel being used all at once. I would like to thank you all for letting me experience that on my birthday,” Piazza said.

Piazza wants the classroom to be the most productive, independently driven class in all of South Side and he believes that will happen in the future. Improvement is occurring everyday, whether you decide today is your first time trying out the pottery wheel or going above and beyond with your projects.

At the end of the day, you get rewarded for your work by getting to take it home or giving it to family and friends.

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