We have started another class rotation of pottery at the Bread of Life. The class has started a bit slow, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people began to walk over to see what we are doing. I hear so many responses. Many are waiting for an invitation to come and make a cup, quickly jumping at the opportunity once asked. Some look as though they have gone back to their days in elementary school, when creating a crooked pot was highest priority. Others are reluctant to begin the process, exclaiming, “I don’t know how,” but with a little encouragement they begin to feel the dirt between their fingers and a smile emerges.
Within the past few years of working with clay, I have seen how this medium is able to bring people together. I believe this is one of the reasons I love working with it so much. From my experience, there is usually a story that goes along with pottery making. Whether it was done as a child in school, watching a grandmother throw on the wheel, or simply having a favorite mug to drink a hot beverage from, clay is able to translate well to all walks of life.
Working with students at TAPH this year I have seen this become an important part of what we do. We want to be a place of creativity for those to come, whatever place they may be in their life and find purpose, to find healing. Through this hands-on-experience, students are able to put their hands to the clay and make something from beginning to end. Today we rarely get to see and enjoy the whole process. When asked to one of the students what their favorite part of making the cups was, she replied, “It’s in the process, the making of the whole cup.” What satisfaction to stand back and know that the cup sitting on your table would not have existed if you had not created it.
Abbie Preston
Is the newest member of the Bread of Life, Inc. staff working with The Art Project, Houston
Abbie served with the Bread of Life as a Mission Year Intern from September 2011-July 2012. After her year of service she decided to come back and join the team.
Abbie graduated from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia in December 2009 with a studio art degree concentrating in ceramics, drawing and painting. She has been working with clay for the past four years while in school and then moving to Atlanta to teach and serve as an artist in residence at Mudfire Clayworks.
www.abbiepreston.com
Within the past few years of working with clay, I have seen how this medium is able to bring people together. I believe this is one of the reasons I love working with it so much. From my experience, there is usually a story that goes along with pottery making. Whether it was done as a child in school, watching a grandmother throw on the wheel, or simply having a favorite mug to drink a hot beverage from, clay is able to translate well to all walks of life.
Working with students at TAPH this year I have seen this become an important part of what we do. We want to be a place of creativity for those to come, whatever place they may be in their life and find purpose, to find healing. Through this hands-on-experience, students are able to put their hands to the clay and make something from beginning to end. Today we rarely get to see and enjoy the whole process. When asked to one of the students what their favorite part of making the cups was, she replied, “It’s in the process, the making of the whole cup.” What satisfaction to stand back and know that the cup sitting on your table would not have existed if you had not created it.
Abbie Preston
Is the newest member of the Bread of Life, Inc. staff working with The Art Project, Houston
Abbie served with the Bread of Life as a Mission Year Intern from September 2011-July 2012. After her year of service she decided to come back and join the team.
Abbie graduated from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia in December 2009 with a studio art degree concentrating in ceramics, drawing and painting. She has been working with clay for the past four years while in school and then moving to Atlanta to teach and serve as an artist in residence at Mudfire Clayworks.
www.abbiepreston.com
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