By Remy Cush
Beyond drawing, there are many alternative artistic mediums creativity can be expressed through. Lizzy Klein, senior at Ponte Vedra High School, focuses her art mainly on throwing pottery. Beginning her passion for pottery freshman year in Ms. Reyes ceramic class, Klein has found how much of a creative gateway throwing can be, “Whenever I start throwing in pottery, it’s almost like I never want to stop. My creative mind starts flowing and I don’t want to stop it.” She is able to use throwing as a creative escape from the stresses of school and her daily life. Over the course of her four years at PVHS, Klein added, Ms. Reyes has helped to guide her throughout the years, as she has “really helped guide me to be the best potter I could be.” She’s been able to truly develop her artistic style and passion for pottery in the classroom, and wishes she could continue that outside of school.
Whenever I start throwing in pottery, it’s almost like I never want to stop. My creative mind starts flowing and I don’t want to stop it.
Early into her ‘throwing career’, Klein decided to keep pushing herself during her junior year, which ultimately helped her to create her favorite piece. She dedicated her time to watching guiding videos and educating herself on certain techniques in order to produce her most favored piece, a teapot. Stylistically speaking, Klein tends to center her pieces around functionality, as she is “inspired by the idea of functionality”. By putting an emphasis on functionality, Klein is able to utilize her pieces outside of the class, which is one of the reasons she enjoys the pottery program. Despite her current knowledge of throwing, Klein finds that it can be difficult sticking to her AP pottery theme, sustained investigation. She explained that “sometimes I want to go off that path and make mugs or bowls, but I have to remember that I chose this sustained investigation for a reason, and I need to execute it as best as possible.”
Inspired by functionality and creative freedom, Klein is given the ability to reach her full pottery potential just within the class. Since freshman year, she has learned basic and traditional throwing techniques, and is able to apply them to her original pieces, adding her own stylistic elements creating unique pieces.
