The first time I took a ceramics class was in 1996, at Darlington Technical College, one evening per week for a year. I was seventeen. The teacher's name was Clare Orange and I can still remember her face clearly because she had a cheeky type of smile and a very distinct personal style, like most art teachers. I'm sure the class was highly entertaining to Clare as a teacher since the students were from all walks of life, each with a few quirks to keep it interesting. I looked forward to the class each week, it was a little clay-class-island to escape to from the demands of high school studying. We learnt the basics from pinch pots to throwing on the wheel, and our final project was the highlight of the year. I made a large, hand built coil vase, decorated in a base white glaze with blue triangular motifs. It still stands in my parents' spare room, filled with peacock feathers.
Fast forward to 2021, and I found myself researching pottery classes in Tucson. Enter the Tucson Clay Coop. I didn't know how much I had missed ceramics until I finally signed up for one of their classes and voila, my hands and heart were happy to be busy and making again. The Darlington evening class vibes came flowing back. I only wish I could let Clare Orange know that her teaching made an impression and her patience was never unnoticed.
All this to say, creativity has no expiration date; it's never too late to start. Or start again.