Ellis
When I was in college, I would pick one elective a semester that was purely for fun.
I saw it as an opportunity not only to fulfill a credit, but to try something I had never tried before or may never get to try again. So I worked my way through step aerobics (a catastrophe), piano (a noble challenge) and art history (a love) before stumbling upon a pottery class (a hot mess).
But the joy was in watching my professor demonstrate different pottery techniques and skills. He made everything look so easy — like all you had to do was sit down at the wheel, dip your hands in water and all of a sudden you would have a beautifully designed vase. I would ask him endless questions about the art form and how he discovered this passion.
And I quickly learned that it was years of practice that made everything look so easy — a lesson hard-learned for a beginner. Every day he would walk through the class and offer guidance on how to hold your hands a certain way or where to apply pressure to the clay to make it go where you wanted. And every day he would look at me and say two things: “Ellis … you have more clay in your hair than on the wheel,” and “I don’t know what that is, but you’re trying really hard.”
By the end of the semester it was very clear that I would never become a world-renowned sculptor or potter. Still, I did discover a fascination with artists and makers — individuals who can see the end product before they’ve even begun. I’m amazed at their patience with the craft and their excitement to try new things, to play with their art in hopes that they’ll stumble upon something new. The artists in my life have taught me that it’s not about perfection, but exploration. It’s the journey of the making and the fulfillment you feel during the process.
That’s why I love the Maker in Residence series at the Greenwood Public Library. It’s an opportunity for our community to meet and learn from individuals who love to create and are putting in the time to learn and grow in their chosen medium.
We’re so excited to welcome Carole Ricketts Corey to GPL this April as our next Maker in Residence. Carole is a creative who loves all things fabric and fiber. She’ll be kicking off the month with a demo day from 11 to 12:30 p.m. on April 6 to demonstrate three different spinning techniques and weaving on a rigid-heddle loom.
She spins her very own angora wool, and rumor has it that she will also be bringing one of her rabbits for viewing. All are welcome to stop by on the first Saturday of the month to chat with the artist and ask questions.
Later in the month she’ll be offering needle felting, drop spindle and fiber-dyeing classes. Attendees will have the opportunity to be curious about fiber, ask questions, and have fun trying something new. Registration is required and spots are limited for the classes, so make sure to visit the library’s programming calendar to register today.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn about spinning your own wool or maybe, like me, you just really enjoy getting to talk with creatives and watching them work. Either way, the Maker in Residence is designed for you. For more information be sure to check out the library’s website.
(And just in case you were wondering … despite the fact that none of my vases held water or sat level on a table, my professor awarded me a solid A in the pottery class because I “showed up and gave it my best.” I was really proud of that A.)
Emily Ellis is the Assistant Director at Greenwood Public Library. GPL staff members share in writing this twice-monthly column for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].
