Last Tuesday, I had the pleasure of attending my first ever molded clay class at the West Pasco Art Guild. I was thrilled that I was not the only “noobe”. The environment was warm, inviting, and supportive of my curiosity to experience a new form of artistic expression.

Ms. Kathleen Clarke shared some of her decades worth of wisdom with kindness and an understanding of the trials and tribulations of a total neophyte. We learned the basics of rolling, and pounding, and shaping. We made pinch pots, and cups, and mushrooms, and fish! That’s when Kathleen breathed life into the cutest little clay creature affectionately dubbed Bublé.

A calming stillness enveloped us as we lost ourselves in clay… a welcoming experience after a busy day at work.

The class included a tour of the studio: the gallery, the library, and the kiln. We were inspired by the works of other local artists, unfinished and drying on the racks, or completed and on display. We perused magazines for inspiration and imagined that we too could aspire to create both functional and interpretive works of ceramic art.

It was a great introduction to this tactile medium. Can’t wait to develop this new found skill with the artist community at WPAG.

And what will come of Bublé? He’s sitting on our drying racks awaiting some glaze and a good firing in the kiln! Feel free to stop by the Guild during class hours to visit him when you can!