Thursday, July 18, 2013
Summer Workshops 2013
This summer I have continued my teaching at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences. The workshops have been filling up with delightful students and I have been thoroughly enjoying sharing the passion I have for clay. As always, teaching others how to work with clay remains a rich and rewarding experience particularly when positive feedback such as below is shared.
I enjoy teaching all ages however, I do confess that I love teaching teenage girls as having gone through the pains of maturity myself I understand and know how absolutely important it becomes to build self-confidence through accomplishment in the arts or sports etc. Being able to enjoy and express ourselves creatively through the arts as opposed to seeking outside approval for "how one looks or what clothes we wear", in my humble opinion, is the key to a successful and balanced life. Teaching young women that they can feel accomplished and satisfied by developing passions of their own is a complete joy for me.
"Meeting Kerith and going to one of her workshops was the highlight of our vacation. We attended a pottery making class using the potters wheel and loved it so much we asked her to provide us with extended private lessons. She is a dynamic teacher with a grounded energy that makes everyone feel comfortable even when facing the trials and tribulations of "centering" a pot. As an art teacher myself, I understand the emotional component of empowering others even when they might fail at something. Centering a pot isn't easy or simple. Kerith teaches in a breezy, easy way that makes you feel free and unafraid.
She combines teaching art and teaching life. I highly recommend her for the middle school ages (I brought 3 thirteen year old girls) and they were motivated and engaged the entire time. They even took ownership of clean-up at Kerith's direction!
For a positive life experience, that goes well beyond making pottery, I highly recommend Kerith's workshop. Her teaching style is unparalleled. I can't wait until she opens her own studio so we can come back for more!"
Irene Mitta, art teacher and visual artist
I enjoy teaching all ages however, I do confess that I love teaching teenage girls as having gone through the pains of maturity myself I understand and know how absolutely important it becomes to build self-confidence through accomplishment in the arts or sports etc. Being able to enjoy and express ourselves creatively through the arts as opposed to seeking outside approval for "how one looks or what clothes we wear", in my humble opinion, is the key to a successful and balanced life. Teaching young women that they can feel accomplished and satisfied by developing passions of their own is a complete joy for me.
"Meeting Kerith and going to one of her workshops was the highlight of our vacation. We attended a pottery making class using the potters wheel and loved it so much we asked her to provide us with extended private lessons. She is a dynamic teacher with a grounded energy that makes everyone feel comfortable even when facing the trials and tribulations of "centering" a pot. As an art teacher myself, I understand the emotional component of empowering others even when they might fail at something. Centering a pot isn't easy or simple. Kerith teaches in a breezy, easy way that makes you feel free and unafraid.
She combines teaching art and teaching life. I highly recommend her for the middle school ages (I brought 3 thirteen year old girls) and they were motivated and engaged the entire time. They even took ownership of clean-up at Kerith's direction!
For a positive life experience, that goes well beyond making pottery, I highly recommend Kerith's workshop. Her teaching style is unparalleled. I can't wait until she opens her own studio so we can come back for more!"
Irene Mitta, art teacher and visual artist
Monday, July 1, 2013
Supporting the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences
The LBIF is off to great start this season! This is the first summer following the devastating affects of Hurricane Sandy. The community on the island have rallied and supported one another and as the current saying goes in NJ, we are "Stronger than the Storm".
On several occasions I volunteered for the LBIF of Arts & Sciences to "throw pots" at a few community events - Founders Day & the LBI Thank you Festival which was a huge celebration with food vendors, arts & crafts and over 25 talented bands - all to say "thank you" to the rescue workers of Long Beach Island for doing a great job through Hurricane Sandy and the following weeks. They were both great days and we had many children and parents stop over to try their hand at "throwing a pot" or to handbuild a pinch pot or coffee mug. Hopefully we made some new friends and will see their faces at the foundation this summer. 
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