The Ceramics Club at Utah Tech University brings students together through clay-centered events, food and workshops to refine their craft and build community.
The Ceramics Club has been part of the campus community for three semesters and began through the encouragement and vision of Meaghan Gates, assistant professor of art and ceramics department chair.
The club meetings take place once a month in the sculpture room at the Dolores Dore Eccles Fine Arts Center with varying meeting times.
The purpose of the club is for members to have an engaging experience and develop their artistic ideas through clay while supporting and collaborating with each other.
Club members have all kinds of experiences in ceramics; some members have sculpted since high school, while others were introduced to it this semester. Members help and teach everyone that needs guidance or improvement on techniques.
“We love to share knowledge and help beginners to advance and find joy in clay,” said Brittany Cowley, the vice president of the club and a senior studio art major from Texas.
School policies require students who want to be part of this club to enroll in a sculpture class, which is available for both fall and spring semesters, and also fulfills the prerequisite for more advanced sculpting courses.
The club hosts monthly events like get-togethers where they create an object made out of clay, do contests and make drawings for prizes.
“We host monthly club potlucks where members enjoy good food, fun clay-related activities and time to work on their class projects, with the added perk of tips and tricks from more experienced peers,” said Ckaz Dean, the president of the club and a senior studio art major from St. George.
One of their most popular events takes place during the November meeting, which was Nov. 19, where they make Christmas ornaments, have a mug creating contest and serve hot chocolate.
Dean said the goal of the club is to grow and strengthen the ceramics and sculpture community within the university through friendship, support and confidence-building experiences.
Leadership explained what they hope current and future members learn and get from joining the club.
Dean said she hopes members can discover that working with clay can be a “soothing and uplifting way to relieve sadness, stress or anxiety.”
Clara Christensen, the treasurer of the club and a sophomore art major from St. George, said she wants the Ceramics Club to “create a community of people who love ceramics and provide a time outside of classes to work on ongoing projects.”
For more information on future club meetings and events, follow the club on Instagram at @utahtech_ceramicsclub.
