Graduate psychology major, Melissa Martin, takes ceramics as a ritual to celebrate the end of a chapter in her life, as she puts the finishing touches on her thesis. Martin drops off her project of the semester for firing on Sept. 24. | Photo by Dakota Cox.

The HSU ceramics department fires back up

Experienced ceramics students are back in the lab this semester
Translate

Experienced ceramics students are back in the lab this semester

Following a graceless transition to online learning in the spring, ceramics students are receiving a drastically improved experience this semester.

When the COVID-19 pandemic first went into effect, forcing students to finish the spring semester from home, ceramics students were among those who drew the shortest stick.

According to Ryan Hurst, who has been teaching ceramics at HSU for nine years, when classes were moved online, the hands-on experience that students signed up for was no longer possible. They were instead tasked with drawing up sketches, studying research and development and critiquing other artists’ works.

“It wasn’t ideal,” Hurst said.

This semester has been a continuous adjustment according to Hurst. Gaining access to the building as well as the proper equipment to record demonstrations over the summer was an uphill battle.

“I didn’t get either of those things until two weeks before it started up, so the plan kind of went out the window,” Hurst said. “I’d reformulated plans leading up to the end of the summer and some are working and some aren’t, but it’s a crazy adjustment.”

At the start of the fall semester, each student was given a kit to take home, including basic ceramics tools and the clay they would receive in a normal semester. Beginning ceramics students will be creating almost entirely from home this semester, because of the new lab capacity put in place by COVID-19 protocols. Meanwhile, intermediate and advanced level students are granted some access to the building, with portfolio development students receiving first priority.

“They have paid their dues and deserve the last moments of their academic career to do as much as time allotted them,” Hurst said.

Jenna Santangelo is a former student and now lab technician for the ceramics department. After six years of classes, this is Santangelo’s first year as a staff-member. According to her, the beginning students are able to accomplish almost all that’s required of them in a normal semester from the comfort of their homes, assuming they possess the space.

“Working at home is possible,” Santangelo said. “But it’s pretty messy and a lot of people don’t really have the space necessary for it.”

Melissa Martin is a graduate psychology major with an emphasis in academic research. She takes ceramics as a therapeutic ritual each time she’s nearing the end of a chapter in her education. This semester, she’s preparing to close the final chapter as she puts the polishing touches on her thesis. Taking the beginning ceramics course this semester and not having access to a lab has changed the way Martin approaches her projects.

“I think that you’re a little bit more restricted of how much work you can actually do,” Martin said. “I also was a very avid wheel thrower, so that’s also been a real big challenge. Now I’m doing a lot of hand building stuff so I really have to hone in on different skills.”

One thing not included in the kits the university handed out to ceramics students this semester was a proper kick wheel for throwing pottery.

“The kick wheels are, I think, like 400 pounds,” Santangelo said. “Which isn’t really feasible for most students to move.”

Despite the disappointments and also experiencing challenges with creating a comfortable workspace at home, Martin is remaining optimistic.

“We’re just learning how to be resilient in this world. We’re still trying to accommodate the best that we can,” Martin said. “But it is still a challenge and we’re still learning little bit by little bit, each time.”

Maximus Landon is brand new to the ceramics program this semester. Landon took the class in hopes it would help them enjoy school again. Unfortunately, the barriers introduced by the online format have taken away from some of the enjoyment.

“Because I’m really new to all of this, I’m not entirely sure what exactly I’m doing,” Landon said. “I’m not sure if I’m scoring things wrong and I’m not sure if I make this dent too large if it’s just going to have the entire side fall off, so it’s a lot of trial and error by myself and it’s not very fun for my anxiety.”

Likewise, Hurst has been very anxious this semester about the safety of his students and the quality of their education.

“It’s definitely not an ideal thing,” Hurst said. “But a lot of students have just been really happy to still be able to work with clay, even if it is at home.”

Share This Post

More Stories

Nina G uses comedy to start conversations

During the virtual comedy event held by the SDRC, Nina Ghiselli tells her story and emphasizes the importance of student disability resources within schools.

It’s not just the Capitol Police

As the world watched from their televisions on January 6, we witnessed scenes unfold before our eyes that were, to many, unimaginable: supporters of President Trump swarmed the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building, then proceeded to break in and

The San Jose State University Football Team Comes to Humboldt

On a day’s notice from administration, the SJSU football team spends a week and a half in Humboldt practicing because their county did not allow it. Students react to their presence on campus in the midst of a pandemic. Directed

Homelessness in Humboldt, CA

This is the first trailer of a homeless documentary created by HSU students. We have spent months filming and will continue to film throughout the next year. Follow the heartbreaking stories of the homeless community around Humboldt county and the

Thrifty Arcata

Taking a tour of the local thrift shops in Arcata during the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed and produced by Skylar Gaven.

House Plants Generate Peace and Meaning During the Pandemic

Three different people with the same love for plants! House plants have become quite popular these days especially since we’re all basically stuck inside during the pandemic. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but these beautiful green oxygen-makers provide more

Prop 22 represents political favoritism of money over workers’ rights

California’s passing of proposition 22 on Nov. 5 represents a frustrating history of workers’ rights being trampled by the overwhelming influence of greed in politics.  This proposition forces app-based workers to be classified as independent contractors, rather than employees. This

Remembering Evelyn Andrews 10 months after her passing

By Katelyn Dendas It has been 10 months since my friend, teammate and freshman year dorm mate, Evelyn Andrews, passed away. I don’t remember what the grief counselor said or what transpired after that Monday, but I do remember arriving

Protestors seek to defund HSUPD

Two local, activist organizations work together to stage a sit-in against Humboldt State’s police department.

Getting stuck on the Trump train

Writer Anthony Aragon details his experience of accidentally joining a pro-Trump car rally.

Justin Turner exposes the World Series to COVID-19

Justin Turner didn’t need to be the story in the wake of the Dodgers’ first World Series victory in 32 years. Instead here we are, wondering what sort of, if any, punishment Major League Baseball will decide to hand down

Four more years of fear

News Editor Carlos Holguin explains why he is worried about the next four years.

Dismal democracy

The Lumberjack editorial staff comments on America’s flawed electoral system As the world watches the United States 2020 election results, waiting for our pseudodemocratic process to churn out a new president, historically unprecedented voting methods misrepresents the reported Election Day

The Mario triple pack invokes a nostalgia attack

When I was a child, the first video game system I owned was a Nintendo 64. Among the games I played was Super Mario 64. I played it all the time and when I wasn’t playing it, I was lying

Women’s lacrosse drops their competitive season

Greta Roberts, president and player of Humboldt State University’s women’s lacrosse team, made the decision with her coach and teammates to cancel the upcoming spring season. The team decided that not being able to recruit in the fall would be

Dobby’s proposition opinions

Haven’t voted yet? Well, you’re running out of time. Here’s a quick rundown of California’s propositions on the ballot this year

Corporations buy out propositions

In a series of general and misleading advertisements, corporate backers of Propositions 22 and 23 show their grubby hands

CDOR continues virtually

The Campus and Community Dialogue On Race returns covering global justice for Black Lives.

Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Local food management practices of the Tolowa Dee-ni, Yurok and other indigenous peoples.

Humboldt State Admin attempts to discredit the Lumberjack

***A Lumberjack editorial represents both the majority opinion of the student newspaper’s editorial board, nine editors, as well as the overwhelming majority of Humboldt State University’s student body. Collectively, an editorial echos, embodies and advocates for community beliefs.*** Insensitive communications

Music of the Moment 6

21 Savage and Metro Boomin drop a classic with “Savage Mode II”

Spartans arrive at HSU despite campus concerns

***Editor’s note: SJSU football program was tested in congruence with Mountain West conference guidelines*** The Spartans have arrived and this time they’re not carrying spears or shields. Instead the San Jose State football team stepped onto the Humboldt State campus

Music of the Moment 5

After shooting Megan Thee Stallion, Tory Lanez cancels himself

Welcome to the Twilight Zone

Comparisons between episodes of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone and our own dismal reality

Music of the Moment 4

YoungBoy Never Broke Again dodges the sophomore slump with his new album “Top.”

Self-Care Cuts

Changing your hair to change your life

HSU Seaweed Farm sets sail

The first commercially-approved seaweed farm in California will be on the map.

Music of the Moment 3

For better or worse, Big Sean is likely gone for good.

More Layers, More Protection?

Humboldt State demands double masking on campus, does more layers equal more protection?

The Ethnic Studies Bill is a Blessing

Ethnic Studies will thankfully become mandatory for all California State University students – as it should be.

The Complex Interface of Humans and Wildfires

How fire suppression is a mixed bag in Humboldt County Every fire season, blankets of smoke roll over Humboldt County. Here on the coast, that’s as close to wildfires as some of us get. But our practice of fire suppression

Defund HSU’s Police Department

Incidents of racism from the former UPD Chief, past examples of excessive force from current officers and a shrinking university budget.

How Not To Be Bitten By A Kitten

Please prepare to be prey Congratulations, a baby feline has recently come into your life. If they’re anywhere from 2-18 months, they bite. They see you as prey. Because you are prey. You always have been. You always will be.

Graduating Into Uncharted Waters

HSU graduates attempt to navigate a world turned upside-down by COVID-19 In May, Humboldt State University graduated hundreds of students, as it does every year. Unlike past years, graduates didn’t get to shake hands with their respective dean and receive

HSU Cultural Center Budget Slashed

Associated Students leaves student body devastated after significant reductions in cultural center’s budget.

All aboard the plague ship

Unprecedented times are met with normalized behavior, HSU puts students and community members at higher risk after reopening campus and student housing.

Music of the Moment

The hip-hop community rallies behind the Black Lives Matter Movement

Inside the Immune System

How the body uses multiple levels of defense against foreign intruders

Catcalling Can’t Continue

Verbal harassment toward women is about control and the assertion of gender discrimination

Major League Marijuana

Why I don’t think marijuana is everything it’s cracked up to be in baseball

Pigs Compost on Campus

CCAT tries to reduce HSU’s food waste footprint through new pig program

Digging in the Dunes

Making a difference in the dunes by hand, plant-by-plant

Ask Evergreen: Busy Bee

Ask Evergreen is a weekly advice column by the students of The Lumberjack

Parking Pisses Me Off

The trials and tribulations of finding parking on campus

No Parking, No Progress

Study reveals complex campus parking problem with solutions still far-off

Struggles at the Station

Floods and frequent power outages caused issues for KRFH during the fall semester

Dr. Cornel West Talks Truth

Selling out in less than a week, Dr. Cornel West commanded the stage with emotion and power

News Recap: HSU Budget

The Humboldt State University budget proposal is under overview from President Jackson

Walking and Wildlife Tracking

A group of students and community members wandered around Redwood Creek to track the local wildlife

Turner and Thrower: Leading Ladies

Humboldt State Lady Lumberjacks’ dynamic duo Tyra Turner and Alexia Thrower show no signs of slowing down

The Failure of U.S Soccer

The United States men’s national team has not made much progress since failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup

Trees are Here to Help

How planting trees can serve as one branch of a climate action plan

33 Months

Living in a community full of love, fear and a growing void of justice

Work Out for a Cause

Humboldt State students partner with Campaign One At A Time to raise money for a child’s dream

Dreams in Between

Cast and crew of “Dreamers: Aquí y Allá” shed light on complexities of immigration

New Grant Lends Helping Hand

Mental health grant seeks to address adverse childhood experiences in Humboldt

Spreading Warmth for Winter

Many organizations around Humboldt County provide warm clothing for little or no cost.

So You Want to Compost

Composting can be one of the most beneficial ways to handle waste

Instagram Updates Are Wack

With each new update comes new changes that seem to have no input from the user community.

Ask Evergreen: Ant Avoider

Mint, peppermint and spearmint essential oils are safe alternatives to bug sprays.

Decision Time for DACA

Supreme Court set to determine future of over 700,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy recipients.

Tull Impresses at National Championships

HSU cross country runner Daniel Tull places 56th out of 267 competitors at the Division II National Championships in Sacramento.

Turkey Doomsday

Investigations have found that many large-scale poultry farms keep their birds intentionally overweight and injected with hormones.

Protest Timeline from Faculty Senate Chair James Woglom

Senate Chair’s Report for the Week of May 7th, 2024 From Senate Chair James Woglom: This week’s Senate Chair report outlines my experiences in the role of Senate Chair and General Faculty President between the evening of Monday April, 22nd

Letter: Cal Poly Humboldt faculty demand resignation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty & Staff Demand for Immediate Termination of Jackson, Johnson Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty & StaffDemand for Immediate removal and termination of President Tom Jackson and Chief of Staff Mark Johnson A group of staff and faculty

Staying in the moment and being mindful with meditation

By Gabriel Zucker The thought of sitting down, doing nothing, just breathing, sounds very pointless. This was my view of meditation for a long time. Why spend time getting my mind right when there is so much stuff to do

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Discover more from The Lumberjack

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading