May 2007 Public Value Story

A friend from the Cincinnati Art Museum approached me about teaching a clay class as part of the Museum’s Art for Life initiative. We talked over what they wanted and I readily agreed. The Museum hired me to teach several sessions of claywork at a senior living center in Mason, as part of a community engagement and enrichment program. I have experience teaching adult and children’s workshops, and I was confident that we would have an entertaining, fun class.

My first day of instructing was with the long-term care residents, many of these folks are in wheelchairs, and some have memory problems. When I first saw my students, I have to admit I felt a bit dismayed. I worried that I may not be able to reach them. Several people sat staring off into space, seeming unaware of me or the planned activity. One woman sat quite still in her wheelchair with her eyes closed, her hands curled into claws from the swollen joints of arthritis. Later I learned she was named Harriet.

For these classes I gave a short slide talk and introduction to clay work. Then we plunged right in and began working, making a pinch pot of air-dry clay. As I explained the process and made a few small example pots, I noticed Harriet. To my surprise, she was concentrating, working intently pinching up her pot. Her fingers worked the clay with what must be long-remembered skill, in spite of her stiff joints. The nursing aides, a few volunteers, and I went around the room helping the senior residents make pinch pots.

When I got back to Harriet, another surprise awaited. Harriet had made a sweet little pinch pot. I asked her if I could hold it for a minute and she agreed. I held up the pot and explained to the group that Harriet had made a very nice pot. It was a good example - the shape was perfect, lovely, in fact, and the walls were even all through the pot. The class members spontaneously applauded Harriet, and her face beamed with a wide smile.

Many of the long-term care residents have lost a lot to age. For some residents in their late eighties and older, health, memory, even walking have long been gone. I work with them, using simple methods we make pinch pots in clay. Then surprise them as we turn the pots into a cat sculpture. For a while they are caught up making something new and unexpected.

We laugh, praise, and tease each other. Midway through, their pride and pleasure in making artwork is tangible. The positive energy draws in people who meant to pass by. A few more residents came over and began working with the clay. We laughed at the class rebel, the man who made a basket instead of a cup. We had more laughs, and many smiles, through the course of the morning. The residents, and the class, had a happy kind of energy that I often experience when working with clay. At the end, I ask, “Did you think you would be making sculpture when you got up this morning?” They smile, shaking their heads no.

As we cleaned up the room later, one of the aides commented that Harriet usually does not come to events. They were happy when she agreed to come to the clay event. That Harriet could make nice pots was a surprise, and it meant a lot to everyone to see her with a big smile, and enjoying herself. She said the class seemed to just make everyone’s day. I know it made mine. Such is the nature of Art for Life. Making art provides a rich experience for instructor and students.

Thank you, Cincinnati Art Museum. The Art for Life initiative is a well worthwhile program that helps bring art experiences to a broad audience. Through the Art Museum program, our small group shook off daily cares and physical problems. We became sculptors for a while. We made art. It was good.