One of the many electives offered at West Salem High School is Pottery I. In this class, students get the chance to work with clay both on and off of the wheel. Typically, Pottery I is offered to students who complete the semester-long 3D Foundations course.

Senior Addie Schwartz got her first taste of pottery last year, and she has since found it to be one of her favorite art styles. “Last year, second semester, we started doing stuff in 3D Foundations with clay, and so then I really ended up liking it more than drawing,” said Schwartz. 

Some may also enjoy the freedom they have when in the studio. “Once you get to hand building, it becomes kind of more like a free time where you can just build whatever you want,” said Senior Addie Burt when asked why she enjoys the class, “If you get far enough, the projects go by a lot faster, and it’s just a lot easier to just kind of do your own thing and have more free reign over things.” 

Although pottery may not be an easy skill, Schwartz considers herself to be always improving.  Burt says that most of her pottery knowledge comes from taking 3D Foundations as a freshman, videos online, and a little bit of trial and error.