Project: Pinch Pots
Prior to starting, are consultation with Mr. Freeman was thought provoking and helpful in deciding scheduling and a list of guys to participate in the projects.
During my first visit to St. Johns Youth Academy I introduced clay and the pinch pot building method with intentions of each guy building one or two cups/bowls. I gave examples of how to start the bowls and a quick demonstration of making my own. Also an example of scoring and slipping clay to attach handles or pieces of clay and a reference size of thickness that needed to be throughout the bowl. I gave each student a larger ambitious sized piece of clay to push them to make decisions and thick about them while building. The guys gravitated to the clay with interest and full of questions. "what is it made of? How do you bake it? and questions about my experience with it which I answered to the best of my knowledge. Throughout the time working with them there was conversation geared towards future endeavors once they are free. I continuously encouraged and pushed them for betterment in themselves and to pursue a lifestyle of happiness and passion. Some guys were interested in what i had to say while others brushed it off. They were interested in building the pinch pots but towards the end of the time there they had created a few pinch pot bowls then smashed them back into a ball of clay to keep building and creating. They started chasing ideas of what they wanted to create, while some were perfecting their pinch pots other were building "torches" and Pizza Plates. I felt that allowing them flexibility in their creations and freedom to make whatever they wanted towards the end of class was freeing to their expression in their current environment where they are told what to do and when everyday. Happy with their end results, they continuously questioned when i was coming back to make more clay things, assuring them i'd be back Wednesday.
My second visit, I brought the kept pinch pot bowls to allow them to sign and scribe whatever they wanted onto the clay. This time there were new guys who wanted to partake in the clay creating and jumped right in. I gave a pinch pot lesson to the new guys in the group and then they were on their way creating. Some previous students continued making pinch pots and cups, some heart shaped and some tall and skinny. Conversations were geared towards sobriety and how expansive and free the outside world is. I was asked "how does it feel to be free, out there?" which i had to ponder for a second to try to perceive common understandable ground between us. I told him "explore, there's so much and too much to see, don't limit your expansion of yourself or your environment. do more.". On guy spoke of his love for marijuana and how he glorified it and asked for my opinion of it, which i warned him my answer would not be what he'd expect and asked if he still wanted to hear it, which he replied yes. I talked about sobriety and a clear persistent mindset, stronger than temptations and urges, overcoming barriers to achieve self worth and self acceptance/growth. Which i caught the attention of one younger guy who I've been involved with when our class visited for the previous project. I continued to push the idea of stoicism and greatness, which they seemed to sit and listen to, though i could tell it isn't what they wanted to hear, being that age in that situation. At one point during the class i announced i had two pieces of candy and two numbers written on a piece of paper behind my back, 1-7. They all guessed and the two who guessed correctly were awarded a pack of skittle and a twix bar, which they all seemed to laugh and enjoy the spontaneity of the act. Some individuals who started off working in clay moved over tot he painting and beginning working in that. One guy made a total of 4 different clay pieces that he put time into. As they were leaving the class they were all asking if i'd be back again, which i assured again i'd be back Monday.
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