3 days ago
Pottery studio teaching people how to throw it down
TEA, S.D. (KELO) —Many people can draw, paint, and do other art forms in your own home. But there is one medium that would be rather expensive to try at home, which is why a new business is giving rookie artists the opportunity to learn how to throw it down.
For many people, pottery isn't their forte. 'Not really into art. I'm more into sewing and quilting. And so this is something totally new,' Carla Scott said.
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But the same can't be said for Skyler Stencil.'I started in high school with my high school art professor, Gary Siska. He just really led me to a love for it,' Owner Smudge Studios, Skyler Stencil love only grew through college and graduation.'Thought I was going to study up and go to med school. But instead, I bought a pottery wheel, and I spent all my time doing that. And then I started working for Tom and Wanda Clark over at Dakota Potters. And I started by making clay for them, which only gave me easier access to my medium,' Stencil drove Stencil to make a big decision.'I decided that if I was going to do it forever, then I should probably make a living doing it,' Stencil opened Smudge Studios in March. One of the main reasons she wanted to open a pottery studio was to create a community aspect that she started to miss.'In high school, we always had tons of people in the studio, so that was awesome. Even more so true at Creighton. There was always at least 4 to 5 other people. And during class, like, you would have 12 other people. And I just really missed having the community around me while I made art,' Stencil. She has already been building that community. Carla Scott has been attending classes for the past few weeks. 'I've picked up pieces throughout the years from other people making art and stuff. Back in April, we did a whole family clay time and it was fun. So then decided to sign up for the class,' Scott Scott, learning how to throw pottery has been a learning curve.'You know how you watched Ghost. And you thought it was so easy, that was how it was going to be. And it's not like that. And when you're smashing it down, a lot of times it just– it's a good thing it can be reused,' Scott said. Teaching beginners like Scott has also been a new experience for Stencil. 'In a clay date where I have two hours to get someone to learn how to center a piece. So all the way to finishing shaping. Right. Like, that's those are skills I learned over years, and, like, I got to be good at it. It's been very difficult to teach people how to do that within two hours,' Stencil her students can't tell that it's been a struggle. 'Sky is a wonderful teacher,' Scott people a new skill, in a medium that isn't as popular. 'When my first piece got done, I was just amazed how good it looks. And this time I've done a few bowls and then a plate. And so yeah, I was excited to finish that and a tray and stuff. It's just amazing to see when it's done,' Scott said.'I hope that Smudge can offer a place for art. This is the first full-scale pottery studio in the area definitely. And I just hope that people can dip their toes into an art that's not always very accessible,' Stencil said.
For people who are interested in trying their hand at throwing pottery, Smudge Studios offers clay date classes. If you think you would like to then grow your pottery skills, there are also 5-week classes you can take.
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