Why I Want To Pursue My Baccalaureate Program

Ceramics is one of my true passions. It began when I was very young and continued through a 5-week summer program at Choate in 2016, and now at Fay as my favored art class. At Choate, I advanced significantly in ceramics, learning and developing new clay and glazing techniques. One of the methods I created was a marbling technique which impressed my fellow students and was used by upper classmates for the rest of the summer. In my present ceramics class at Fay, I have worked hard on hand building pieces, whistles, and using slabs to create boxes, vases, and tea sets. I am hoping to get onto the Varsity Art team next year. Varsity Art is a ninth grade art class where advanced art students are placed together to work and learn new techniques. The class focuses on sketching, painting, sculpting and painting.

I took a ceramics class at my high school. I felt overjoyed every time when my piece came out the kiln still in tact with the vibrant glazes adding to its beauty. My proudest work produced was my Day of the Dead inspired skull.

 A combination of classes, instruction, and my unique personality uncovered a talent for the art of custom gun building, metal work, and restoration. It was my personal Mona Lisa. Every wood grain and polish mark were like brush

Miro Chin is an artist who works with pottery and ceramics. However, you won’t find her work sitting on a shelf. Instead, you’re more likely to find it sitting on the dinner table. When Miro Chin enrolled in her first ceramics class in 2008, she knew she wanted to make something useful. Her goal was to make tableware. Even though her professor told her it would take at least seven years to learn how to do that, Miro Chin did not let

I have never been known to go easy on my art projects. Even as a young child it was not uncommon for me to end up falling behind the rest of the class, and having to stay after school for a project because I was too engrossed with making sure it was perfect. Contrary to many people’s expectations, my focus shifted from art to science upon entering high school, due to a sudden interest in mechanical systems. However, I still wanted to peruse art on the side, so I decided to take high school art, even if I could only do so for half the school year.

As a transfer student to this University I had the pleasure of prior experience with ceramics, the medium I hold dear and near to my heart. Yet, it wasn’t until I came to Southern that I realized the true potential of this craft, for I had only ever thought of ceramics in its application of functional wares. Over the course of my studies here at the University of Southern Mississippi I have branched out and away from potting and into the world of Fine Art. It is here that I have been developing my skills in both the ceramics and sculpture areas. Within each I created bodies of work disassociated from one another in an attempt to separate my courses. However, it was through pushy professors from both courses of study that I have been able to reach the level of craftsmanship and concept found in my senior show.

The participant observation portion was conducted by enrolling in a ceramics class at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) and interacting with the pottery students and teacher. During this time, notes were kept about the way students worked together to solve problems and the general discussions and atmosphere in the studio. During the participant observation portion I also recorded my interaction and connection to the clay.

Ceramics is one of my true passions. It began when I was very young and continued through a 5-week summer program at Choate in 2016, and now at Fay as my favored art class. At Choate, I advanced significantly in ceramics, learning and developing new clay and glazing techniques; one of the methods I created was a marbling technique which impressed my fellow students and was used by upper classmen for the rest of the summer. In my present ceramics class at Fay, I have worked on hand building pieces, whistles, and using slabs to create boxes, vases. I am hoping to get onto the Varsity Art team next year.

Fast forward a few years and I am found staring into the Commercial Arts class at my high school. Upon taking a few steps into the room, I looked at all the classroom had to offer. Tables, computers, and every kind of art supply you could think of were located in this room. This room had me mesmerized.

If anyone is asking me honestly, I had originally wanted to pursue graphic design at art school, and had no interest in any of the sciences. I had wanted to be able to learn how to design the aesthetics of product packaging, and not have to be stuck memorizing chemical compositions all my life. But then, I had met an epiphany when I was taking my daily shower concert, and asked myself, “Is the world going to change because you designed some pretty packaging for a lipstick tube?”. “Shouldn’t I be trying to do something that significantly changes the world, even if it’s something small?” I started thinking about whether or not something like art could really enrich my life, or the lives of others. I had realized that the reason I had chosen art in the first place was not only because of my small interest, but because I was lazy.

It is not unusual for ceramicists to employ photography as a means of documenting their works, yet Philadelphia-based artist Peter Olson’s method of incorporating these two media on his exquisite clay creations is arguably previously unseen. In each of his work, the artist cleverly unfolds a pleasant surprise. As the audience closely examines Olson’s signature kaleidoscopic surface decoration which bears a resemblance to motifs found on Islamic artifacts and Greek vessels, images of modern streets and people appear where floral design and mythological beings are expected to be.

For four months I gave it my all. Every day I dove into my art with a specific goal aimed at improvement and diversifying my portfolio. I got in contact with professionals in the industry and

This is my vision. Before starting this course, I had been thinking about the possibility of creating sculptures that intertwine art with

When we first started this course at the beginning of the year, we began by making simple sketches of objects. Looking back on some of my old sketches now, I can see the improvements I made throughout the year and can feel proud of myself for exceeding my own expectations, however low they may have been. I see two of my favorite sketches I did and am thoroughly shocked that I am the person who created them. The two aforementioned sketches include a drawing of a round pot with horizontal lines running across it and a sketch of a small toy robot standing up against a popcorn container. These drawings would be nothing special to anyone else, but to me they signify the growth I went through during 2D art this trimester and also show me that I am not as horrible at art as I had previously believed.

Three years ago, if you asked me if I were an artist, I would have probably laughed at the thought. I, Cecilia Gray, was not an artist. My drawing skills are severely deficient; I lack the tremendous courage to preform onstage, and dare I mention my absent abilities to act, carry a melody, or dance on beat. However, in recent years, I have begun to rethink my characterization, as three years of learning ceramic arts have indeed made me an artist; furthermore, it has also given me reason to believe that I have always been one, despite my ignorance.