Professor Melody Cooper takes on the task of working with beginners and advanced students in ceramics class.
“It’s hectic in the beginning of the semester,” Cooper said “but after a while it begins to settle down.”
Cooper’s Wednesday afternoon class features five different sections in one room.
Beginners sit on one side and work on their semester project with their hands.
The intermediate and advanced students sit in a different location in the room using different tools and the pottery wheels.
“The program is progressive,” Cooper said.
Approximately 90 students are currently enrolled in the ceramics program. Many students use the class to relax said Cooper.
“To me it’s relaxing so that’s why I come,” Jessica Gelbke said, who is currently enrolled in Cooper’s ceramics class “It’s just to get away from the stress of everything else.
“I grew up knowing about Indians and their rituals,” Mayra Lara, an aspiring artist said. “And I have always been into ceramics.”
Lara uses her prior knowledge of ceramics and the new things she is learning to help her in another her courses as make-up artist at Elegance in Hollywood.
Lara enjoys Coopers class because it reminds of her of childhood.
“My biggest compliment is when a student takes something home,” Cooper said. “And they tell their parents ‘Look at what I made today.’”