Local teachers pull undiscovered talent from students!
Opening Night for the 3rd Annual GHHS Ceramic & Jewelry Show
C2C Gallery, Julie Sanford Designs, and the Creative Fringe hosted the 3rd Annual GHHS Ceramic and Jewelry Show on Friday, May 2, 2014. Many families came in to see the students’ work. There are over 20 ceramic pieces and 5 jewelry creations that were chosen to be apart of this exhibit. The show will remain on display through the third week in May. Stop in during business hours to see it.
Cyndi Casemier, owner of C2C Gallery, and Sheri Greene, GHHS Ceramics Instructor select the student artwork. Cyndi and Sheri spent several hours looking at the work, discussing it, and looking some more. They decided to add jewelry students to the show. Irene Sipes is the high school jewelry instructor. “It is always a difficult selection,” says Cyndi. Sheri has a hard time selecting because she has worked all year with the students. She knows which students worked hard and those who didn’t. In the end, both women agree on the selected artwork.
Sheri Greene begins the school year introducing pinched pots, composition, and some basic glaze ideas. The organic forms that the students create are always the highlight of the exhibit.
From there, they move on to hollowed, coil and slab built forms. Sheri assigns the students projects where they must consider something in nature, a famous artist that resonates with them, or an industrial item. She pushes them to really think before they touch the clay.
They learn to draw sketches and discuss their ideas. From there, some of the students move on to throwing on the potter’s wheel. Many hours of practice needs to take place before a pleasing-to-the-eye pot is formed.
Each year, the students accomplish sophisticated work. As a teacher, Sheri, has pulled unrealized talent out of each student. Grand Haven Public schools are fortunate to have this talented teacher working with our students.
New to the exhibit, is awards for exceptional work. This year, Alex Fagan, was chosen for his organic ocean-like sculptural piece, titled “Reef”.
Two jewelry students were selected for their exceptional work. Julie Sanford Designs selected Ellyse Vandyke’s copper embossed bracelet. Julie loved the texture the student created and the achieved patina. Stacy Broas, of the Creative Fringe, selected Claire Borcher’s earrings made of copper, wire, beads, and cord. Stacy loved the organic, asymmetrical lengths of the pair, and the fact that they were well crafted.
This is such a fun show to host. The student’s talent and energy is fun to have in the gallery. We look forward to seeing what the students create in 2015. (Thank you to Bob Walma for photographing the evening.)
