Brian is wildly excited and a little nervous. After years of talking about it, he has signed up for his first pottery class, “adult beginners with no previous experience working in clay,” and today is the first class. Walking into the studio, he is enveloped in the smell of wet clay as his excitement builds. When the teacher finishes her introduction, several students get up and walk to the storage shelves, picking up pieces in progress, or begin wedging clay. “Wait a minute. I thought this was a class for beginners,” he exclaims nervously, “am I in the wrong class?” “No,” explains the instructor, “they’ve all taken this class several times before.” Suddenly, Brian feels very out of place in this class of experienced beginners.
The Problem of the Advanced Beginner
This situation is annoyingly common. Most community programs have no problem selling out beginner classes, yet if they put the words ‘intermediate’ or ‘experienced’ in the title of a program the numbers lining up to attend will drop dramatically. It seems that most hobbyists are quite unwilling to shed the easy title of beginner. Not only do these non-beginners take up spaces meant for neophytes, they tend to hijack instruction time with questions beyond the capabilities of a typical beginner.
When is a Potter no Longer a Beginner?
Part of the problem appears to be defining a beginner. Let’s start by taking money out of the equation. When it comes right down to it, any piece of pottery that comes out of the kiln can be sold. So selling your pieces, whether for a living or just to clear space at home, doesn’t determine your level of expertise. Next I suggest we take that slippery term ‘Art’ out of the equation. I agree with Julia Cameron who, in her book The Artist’s Way, declares an artist is what you are, not what you do, so talent and aptitude are intrinsic and not learned. For the purpose of determining a person’s level of expertise, let’s agree to stick to their technical level and experience.
A true beginner is easy to define. They’re curious but have no experience with clay, or at least very little experience. They are still learning the basics: how to wedge, how to handle slabs and simple molds, how to center, etc. For this stage, there are overflowing classes with gentle instructors welcoming them with open arms. This is the stage where the newbie falls in love with clay. Kind of like your first kiss.
Not to belabour the obvious but, if you’ve been taking the same “beginner” class for a couple of years, you’re a bit beyond your first kiss! Try moving on to more advanced classes, if you’re just looking for studio time then join a club or co-op.
Stop Holding Others Back and Go Explore
There is so much to explore in the clay-verse that holding yourself back is just sad. Don’t be intimidated by new teachers or taking on new challenges. You never know; you just might discover how big the sandbox is and a whole group of new playmates. It will also open up the beginner classes for actual beginners who are just dying to try working in clay.
Sources:
- Cameron, Julia, The Artist's Way, Tarcherm, 1992
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