From the article: The Value of Art and Pottery Making
What benefit(s) does making pottery or art have to you? What value does art and pottery making have in general? Why is art and pottery making important? Have you seen the benefits of making pottery or art in yourself, in family members, in your community?
Art is Life
- I come from a family of artists, am married to one, and our daughter showed that special gift of analysis. In fact, that was one of the first things I noticed about her -- how she responded to her environment. She was a preemie, and I think this innate "drive" or interest helped her develop and catch up quickly. I remember nursing her in a chair when she was a couple months old, and she stopped, stretched back and gazed up at the Edward Hopper print behind us -- and really seemed to be soaking in all the details. It was amazing. I always found drawing a way to express myself and my mom says that when I had an argument w/ my best friend, I'd come home and draw pages and pages of people! When my daughter has been upset, doing some form of artwork has been a way for her to calm herself and hopefully express herself. What value does it have? Art -- creating it and experiencing it -- is life.
- —onthepatio
Working with Hands
- There's something special about the oneness of working with your hands. It's a way of capturing a snippet of time. If I look, touch or wear something I've made I can always remember where I was, what I was listening to and how I was feeling at the time.
- —Rubber_Stamping
Exploration and experimentation
- I think art is essential to being human and making art expands who we are and how we connect to ourselves and the environment. I often worry that creativity is an essential that is getting lost in our children's programmed lives, and it is something that becomes increasingly important as they have to navigate a world that is exponentially becoming more complicated. Creativity is one of the only ways to respond positively to complex problems. Besides that, and perhaps more importantly, I believe children should have fun, and what is more fun than squishing clay?
- —Guest Kerry
Life is Art?
- With all the technology that is part of my daily life, I find arts and crafting help me stay grounded. The act of creating slows me down and makes me think.
- —TammyP1
Lots of Reasons for Making Art
- I love the meditative quality of beadweaving, and it really helps me unwind after a crazy day with my three year old. I also love the intellectual challenge of color use when I'm beading. And there's always the thought in the back of my head that maybe my piece will end up in an antique shop or a museum one day for future generations to enjoy and treasure!
- —Guest JenVan74
Ceramic Surfaces
- I always enjoyed clay crafts but have not had much opportunity produce pottery. However I have become a skilled artisan in placing ceramics on surfaces such as tables, kitchen counters, bathroom vanities, shower and tub surrounds, kitchen bathroom and living room walls and floors, entryways, fireplaces, terraces and patios, conservatories sunrooms and stairs. These virtually indestructible and protective surfaces are works of art in their own right and enhance living areas and the lives of people who in habit them with their beauty.
- —S_Khalsa
Art Captures Life, Love and Memories
- I have home schooled my children for the past 15 years. Art is a wonderful way to present concepts and keep us close-knit. We did more than a few projects at pottery shops where the kids could pick out their own projects and paint them. I could never resist doing my own pottery project with them. I love pottery shops because they are more than just a place to create art - they are a social experience. The owners showed my kids the back rooms and we got to learn how slip was made and see the kilns. It was a nice way to get to know about business, meet other people, and the kids always were delighted with their projects (me too!) I have several of their pieces on display in my office. They are growing up now (3 in high school.) It warms my heart to see the projects made with love by tiny little hands. Their art embodies good times together that we can all reflect back upon with ease because we have something tangible to commemorate their growing up.
- —Guest LAWolfe
Self-validation
- By creating some type of art, I prove to myself I'm not the klutz, I think I am. It allows a sense of self-worth to wash over me. If we don't get the pats on the back from others, we need to create them for ourselves. And that's what creating art does for me. I am a marzipan sculptor, which is similar to sculpting clay. Every time I'm able to give a marzipan elf or cat or whatever a lifelike expression and look, it's self-validating. That's all for now. Over and out.
- —Barb.Rolek