Okay, my very un-motivated, under-achieving middle child (age 16, boy) was talking to me last night, and I was trying to help him formulate some idea of what he wants to do with his life (besides sit on the couch and watch TV).
We have this survey thing that asks him questions about his likes/dislikes and talents to help him get career ideas.
Well, I was very surprised when he answered "art" as "his most favorite course ever taken in school". I have never really thought of him as artistic -- he doesn't really ever just sit down and doodle on his own or anything. But he DOES like to do things with his hands, and he has talked about metallurgy (?) quite a bit. (Silversmithing, building swords, working with metal)
Anyway, then there was a question that said, "If you could take any course that interested you, what would you want to take?" and he put down "pottery" (he said "or learning how to build explosives -- but I don't think they teach that around here").
Art is my least-favorite subject and I have NO talent in this area. Where do I start to look about seeing how to get him into a pottery course? I would be interested in seeing what he does with it.
(no, he's home-schooled, so he can't do it through school).
Farmgirl
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
I don't know about your area, but most areas I've lived in have some sort of pottery-guild or artists group. You can check with your local crafts store. Even the big commercial ones usually have bulletin boards with listings of classes and community groups for the various types of crafts.
Also, you can check online. About.com usually has resource listings for just about every subject. Also Meetup.com can be a good resource. Bear in mind if you don't find information online, it doesn't mean there isn't a vibrant pottery community in your area. (Artists groups don't alway intersect with tech saavy groups.)
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
You could also enroll him in school.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I don't call him under-achieving to his face...
And Tom -- I won't try to explain why he is home-schooled at this time. He has been in public school in the past.
Thanks for the non-judgmental ideas, KarlEd. I hadn't thought about asking a craft store -- that sounds like a good place to start.
Farmgirl
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Please see previous post, Stargate:
quote: He has been in public school in the past.
FG
edit: I also am not sure that he likes art because he likes ART, or if he liked art because he had a really awesome teacher.
But if I can do anything that slightly interests him, it is a good, forward-progress sign.
[ June 30, 2004, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: Farmgirl ]
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
Hey farmgirl, I ddidn't know you homeschooled! I guess we do have a lot in common. I think you live in a rural area, like me, too, so sometimes it is hard to find resources.
I know one of the public school art teachers here also gives lessons to home-schoolers. DOesn't hurt to ask them, if they don't do that they may know someone who does... Art teachers are usually pretty approachable. Also, ask around at church or in the community, there are often people with talent who may not realize there are people who could learn from them!
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
I guess that begs the question - how rural an area do you live in?
Some schools and community colleges offer "continued learning" or even "just for fun" courses in things like pottery.
The craft store is a good suggestion - if you have a neighborhood publication that lists local craft-ish things, you could check there.
-Trevor
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
*casts Stargate a suspicious look*
You're her son, aren't you?
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Thanks, ctm -- those are great ideas. I do know a lady at church that paints (now that I think about it). I don't think she does pottery, but maybe she knows someone who does.
I would be willing to pay for one-on-one lessons for him if I need to, although I could also see advantages to him being in a classroom situation for this kind of work. I think there is an art museum in Wichita -- I will call them too...
Yes, the hardest part is the logistics of physically getting him to whatever art class/lessons we find, since we do live rural. I wonder if there are any potters in the small neighboring town of 800 people..
Farmgirl
Posted by ctm (Member # 6525) on :
There might be, Farmgirl. I've lived here a little over 5 years, and I'm discovering a good number of artistic folks around, it's great!
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Contact Wichita State University and ask about the WSU Potter's Guild. They don't seem to have a website of their own, but are mentioned frequently in a search on "Kansas +Pottery +Ceramics +Guild". Even if they are a bit far for you (??) they should be able to tell you if there is anything closer. You local community college or even Chamber of Commerce would probably also have good info on community groups or guilds or classes available.
(I also got a bunch of hits for Kansas City, MO which apparently has a pretty large pottery community, but I don't know how far you are from there.)
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I'm much closer to WSU than to Kansas City. (about 35 miles from WSU). Thanks!
I found the WSU home page, so I will go from there...
Farmgirl
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Farmgirl, I just want to say that it so nice of you to support what your son likes instead of complaining why he isn't a mathematician/scientist. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Teshi -- my OTHER son is a mathematician/scientist. And he can some days be impossible to live with. One is enough for any family! <grin>
FG
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
We have an art museum in our town that gives art lessons. The community college is a good idea, too. Ah, they're all good ideas. Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I took classes at the Air Force base, but I think that's only for dependents (which I was at the time). Major chain craft stores might not be much help, just in case you meet with frustration on that front. The college or community college is hopefully a good bet.
My husband is really into pottery. I guess for him it uses a similar skill set as the massage therapy.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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Teshi -- my OTHER son is a mathematician/scientist. And he can some days be impossible to live with. One is enough for any family! <grin>![[Wink]](wink.gif)