Kayley Williams, 8, was leaving her drawing class last year at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster when she saw a group of pottery students. She was fascinated and asked her parents if she could register for the next class, which was offered by South Shore Arts.
That was two years ago, and the decision to sign up proved a good one, according to Kayley’s dad. This is her second year attending and she brought along her little sister Lily, 6.
“Kayley has always been creative, and since this (pottery) class sparked her interest, it seemed like a good artistic outlet for her,” said Greg Williams of Munster, as he dropped the girls off at a recent class. “Her sister Lily wanted to come also. She’s excited to be making her favorite characters, such as Hello Kitty and some of the other animals.”
Anastacia Sanchez of Munster, 8, also was among the recent class of 10 students.
“What is so much fun here is that I get to make anything I want,” she said, as she outlined a pumpkin on fresh clay. “I really like making animals too, So far I’ve made a cat, a snake and a snail.”
Mom Renee Castro of Munster is impressed with the class her daughter Elisa, 7, is attending.
“This is a great opportunity for my daughter to explore her creativity,” she said. “It’s very important to encourage this (expression) at a young age.”
Instructor Dawn Bell has been facilitating the pottery classes for 12 years. She teaches three classes each year for three age groups from 5 to 15.
The younger students learn the basics of pottery, such as how to choose their project and how to make the materials stick together, for example. The older students are learning how to use the pottery wheel.
“I am very fortunate to have always had such a great group of students of all ages, many whom I have had the pleasure of watching them start in my younger class and grow to the wheel class for the older students,” Bell said. “Several of my students are regulars that will take my classes for years at a time.”
In addition to the enjoyment the children receive from watching their projects take shape, there are other benefits as well, Bell said.
‘I want children to develop a love and appreciation for fine arts,” she added. ‘I also feel that the many different forms of art are therapeutic and a great stress reliever.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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For more information about South Shore Arts programs, call 219-836-1839.