New teacher and staff member Jennifer Younger has taken over part of the art department and has been working with students in the ceramics department to create sculptures.

In the ceramics area, there are two kinds of classes that can be taken: wheel ceramics, which are used to create molds with a machine and hand built ceramics, which are strictly made by hand.

“In my hand built class, students are presently using slabs to create their projects,” Younger said. “The subject matter is up to the students as long as they incorporate slabs in the building and modeling process.”

The wheel thrown class is a bit different in terms of how to make pieces of art.

“We are currently working on throwing bowls in my wheel class,” Younger said. “We have already made cylinders and shaped cylinders this year.”

Younger said while making anything in ceramics, it is important to know the step by step process.

“The amount of moisture in the clay determines what you can do without damaging the piece,” Younger said. “When students first get the clay it is easy to work with but as it becomes dry, you are not able to blend things as easy.”

Younger said it is also important to be aware of these steps in order to successfully create something.

Currently, 27 students are enrolled in the wheel thrown class and 11 students are enrolled in the hand built class.

As well as working on pieces of art, students can also enter their art in the High School Art Days Exhibit hosted by FHSU.

“I really enjoy teaching this class and I feel as if students enjoy themselves too,” Younger said. “We have a lot of fun and the students learn and apply an incredible amount of information when working in ceramics.”

16hbaxter@usd489.com