The art of pottery is often described as therapeutic and relaxing; a group of teens have experienced the benefits from pottery as a creative outlet.

Expand your horizons through the arts is a youth programme in Cromwell that has just taken a group of young people through two weeks of the process of making and painting clay.

Youth worker Eden Wilson said when they plan programmes, they always ask young people what their interests are – art and photography came high on the list.

“Pottery isn’t easy to do, but it’s a way for the creative kids to get a chance to show what they can do.

“They’ve turned out some amazing stuff, everyone’s used different strategies and tactics and it’s all turned out awesomely.”

Eden said they had done cooking programmes, but this was exploring a different area of creative interest. She said they were very lucky to have the pottery club step in to help.

These workshops were to be followed by photography workshops and there would be an exhibition at the end.

“It’s such a good way for them to find new interests, make connections, build on them and grow.

“Lynne’s been amazing with them over the last two weeks; we’ve had a few whoopsies in the background but she’s worked with them and they’ve all pulled through.”

Clay is a unique art medium, tangible, changeable, under our control in a world that often feels out of control. Being so forgiving, clay is often used as an art that teaches mistakes can be repaired and gives a positive outlet for self-expression.

Safi Foale deep in concentration as she works with clay.

Ceramic artist Lynne Wilson said the Cromwell pottery club was a community club, so when youth worker Eden Wilson first approached the Cromwell pottery club, she was happy to help.

“It’s a completely new medium for them; they’ve experienced the raw clay, understand the process of firing and have spent a session experimenting with painting on porcelain.

“They’ve learned to use small amounts, be controlled in design, think clearly about what they were going to do before launching in.”

Lynne said the group of young potters first drew out their designs on paper before committing to a piece. They followed a good process, mapping out, planning, deciding whether their design would take up the whole area or just a portion of the piece.

“Each one is different, just as each person is different; it’s really interesting.

“They’ve become very focused on what they are doing, lost in what they’re creating.”

Eden said at the end of the programme, each of the potters would pick one item from what they had produced through the pottery workshops, and these would be sold at a silent auction to raise funds for the Cromwell Youth Trust.

“Then they get to keep the rest of the awesome stuff they’ve made.”

Amber Keele (11) said the two weeks had been a lot of fun.

“I liked making things with the clay, and today I painted a bowl and a plate," she said. "I decorated my bowl with a teddy bear in the middle, I love bears.”

14-year-old Riley Squires said it wasn’t the art that first attracted him, but he ended up really enjoying the pottery workshops.

“I heard about the helicopter flight, that sounded pretty sick, so I signed up,” Riley said.

“But now I’m glad I joined and did the pottery, it was a good experience.

“We do painting at school, but I’m not the best.

“I went alright with this today though – a bowl’s a bit of a different book of frogs than painting just a flat canvas, there’s different angles.

“I thought I’d just splatter the paint on and I ended up doing some interesting abstract.”

Cooper George (13) said he enjoyed the active hands-on aspect of the workshops.

“It’s really fun and interesting, something using your hands. It was very full on, hands dirty, I could get frustrated with it, but it was a good experience.”

Eden said it had been good for the kids to interact with other community members, expand their networks and discover new art media.

She said each person had found their own way of expression, once given space to test things out and try different ways. They had all been very focused.

“With art, anything can happen, it is good for them to be able to see that.”

Photos supplied

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