He has a Collection of 40 Hats, and Creates Clay Teapots
“This is a cool energy in here,” teacher Jon Holtz mentions about the group of his two Ceramics II classes gathered in one room, as the smell of burning wood pools in from the tech ed hallway.
More than 60 Ceramics 2 students gathered on February 15 in Holtz’s Ceramics room for a demonstration from Keith Williams on how to make both functional and nonfunctional teapots. Keith mentioned how he wasn’t a natural at clay in high school, but because he enjoyed working with it so much, he pursued a career teaching at Concordia University in St.Paul.
Keith is a Liberal Art Professor and a good friend of Holtz. Keith has previously came into Holtz’s Ceramics classes, numerous times over the years. Keith talked about his love of working with clay, the sound that creating art makes, art careers and how he is reflected in the art he creates.
”I love making music, but clay art gave my life direction in the 1970s,” said Williams.
One of Mr. Holtz ceramics 2 students, Junior Michelle Lee is visually impaired. While doing demonstrations for the students, Keith guided Michelle by having her feel the clay and how his hands were sculpting it throughout the process.
The students walked away with a more in depth understanding of how to work clay, different ways to wedge, how to use a variety of tools and how art can influence someone’s life.
