The American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) teen council is a safe space for teenagers to learn about ceramics, improve their artistic abilities, and produce beautiful sculptures and pottery. To be selected for the teen council, students have to submit an application that shows their experiences and interests. Throughout the program, which lasts one school year and consists of two semesters, students learn a variety of ceramic skills, such as wheel throwing and hand building. Once students have mastered the curriculum, they are challenged to create and display a project unique to their own interests. This project can include both hand building and wheel throwing, and, unlike other projects, is not restricted by a day’s lessons and gives students full creative freedom. AMOCA is a Pomona-based studio, but is open to any student; several students from CHS have participated in the program.
Wheel throwing refers to pottery, or creating vessels on a potter’s wheel (a revolving plate potters use in order to make ceramic creations using wet clay). Hand building involves creating vessels by using one’s hands instead of a potter’s wheel. Both techniques require precision, focus, and creativity. Every student on the AMOCA teen council gets the chance to explore both skills. Near the beginning of the first semester, students are separated into two groups. One group starts with wheel throwing, and the other learns hand building. About four weeks into the program, the groups switch curricula. Once each group has had the chance to learn both techniques, students spend the rest of the year working on a personal ceramic project that can involve one or both techniques. This project was very enjoyable for Isabel Garcia, a CHS junior. “Last year, we had our final project, which we showcased one piece of work at the SAE (School of Arts and Enterprise) Museum, and I made a life-size stump, a clay stump, using mostly hand building, and lots of carving,” Garcia said.
Students on the AMOCA teen council enjoy the program for a variety of reasons, including the program’s sense of community, wonderful teachers, and inclusive environment. In the program, students not only have the opportunity to learn invaluable artistic skills, but also have the chance to interact with others and develop friendships. All of these aspects have made the program enjoyable for students like Garcia. Her favorite part of the teen council is the variety of activities that students are invited to explore, as well as meeting other young artists and learning from immensely talented teachers. Anyone is welcome to join in the following years, by submitting an application through the AMOCA website.
