Century art students get a lesson in clay from CSHS senior art class

On Thursday, December 8th, six Carl Sandburg High School (CSHS) seniors visited Susan Berry’s art classes at Century Junior High (CJH). The seniors, who all take part in Daniel McCabe’s ceramics classes at CSHS, brought a bus full of equipment with them to share their passion with the 6th, 7th and 8th graders at CJH

The ceramics students set up stations around the room to demonstrate the types of artwork they create in their class on a daily basis. Arege Shuaibi was working on a clay sculpture called “Monster TeaPot”, which she hopes will one day become a fountain. Evthokia Makris showcased her painting skills.

Jakayla Jones got the students involved in a hands-on demonstration, showing them what kind of art they could create by working the clay with their hands. CJH students each received a small amount of clay to experiment with as they asked questions about the high school art program.

Eric Garozzo, Brandan Surdyk and Evan Flaherty each sat at a potter's’ wheel, demonstrating a messy but fun way to work with clay. After observing for a while, the junior high students took a turn using the wheels with the help of the senior art students.

This collaboration is meant to get the junior high students engaged in art class at a higher level. By allowing them to see where art can take them in high school and beyond.

Berry said, “We really try to promote art in junior high, and I believe this kind of collaboration should take place every year. The high school students are awesome teachers, and the younger students really respond to their honesty.”