Visiting Artists Lead Community Clay Stomp

As the academic year comes to a close, Millbrook artists are busy putting the final touches on their masterpieces. For ceramics class, that means heating up the kiln to fire clay creations. To help with the intense process, which involves round-the-clock kiln stoking, Ceramics Instructor Owen Moon invited four artists—Andrew Castañeda, Johnny Arvizu, Anna Graef, and Tolley Rippon—to spend a couple of weeks on campus. Along with working the kiln, they spent time with students in class, leading a clay stomp project and giving artists talks on Tuesday afternoon.

The clay stomp was a collaborative project in which the students and guest artists walked barefoot across a large slab of wet clay laid out in the Holbrook Arts Center hallway. Used to molding clay with fingers, the students enjoyed sharing the tactile work with their toes. Symbolizing humans from diverse backgrounds walking together through time, the slab of clay will hang in the ceramics studio as a tangible representation of the deep sense of community Millbrook is known for.

Later in the day, class reconvened for artists talks from each of the guests. They walked the students through their artistic journeys, from college and mentorships to professional practice. Students benefited from technical tips on firing and glazing, and they were inspired by pictures of the artist’s work and travels.

Thank you to this quartet of artists for giving our students amazing examples of how to follow their passions!

More Millbrook news: