The ceramics course at Chelsea High School provides unique experiences, one being a collaboration project between 2nd graders at North Creek Elementary and teenage art students. High-schoolers have to use their imagination to create a clay monster for the younger students, expanding on a drawing created by the second graders.
“First, when we got the pictures of the monsters, we had to draw it out in a way that's possible to build,” Gracie Garrison (‘29) said. “And then we painted the monster the same colors, like it was in the original picture.”
Ceramics students use the skills they’ve learned from making pots (such as shaping and joining) to design and build the structures of their monsters. This foundation helps them create more stable, detailed, and creative pieces that bring the ideas of the two-dimensional monsters to life.
“First, we had to make a pinch pot, then we would make different pieces to create a shape with no holes in it. Lastly, you add any other tiny little details,” Zane Clouse (‘29) said.
Students who received a monster in their 2nd-grade year reminisced with their own experiences and felt the joy of fulfilling another kid's wish.
“Giving my kid their monster brought back a lot of memories of how happy it made me feel when I got mine, and I wanted to make it special for my kid too,” Scarlett DeLong (‘29) said.
Being able to connect district-wide made high school students feel all sorts of emotions, one being gratitude for being able to collaborate with a younger student.
“It was a very nice project because you got to connect with your kid over something that both of you created. And it was cool to see their expressions and how they reacted to your art,” McKenzie Kemner (‘29) said.
The monster project reminded high schoolers that they were once in the same shoes as those 2nd graders.
“When I was a 2nd grader, I thought the project was stupid because the person who made mine didn’t make it look exactly like my drawing. But now seeing the difficult process, I appreciate the kid who made my monster,” Alba Syrovy (‘29) said.
Ceramic students at CHS can now impart advice on how to complete the monster project, and make the overall class a good and successful experience.
“Make your monster as fun as possible, with bright colors. Have faith in yourself with what you're making. Keep going if you make a mistake because in the end it will be really cool, even if it explodes the first time,” Syrovy said.
