Article Contributed on: 9/17/2008 5:15:14 PM
Faint voices of small children and adults lingered in the distance. Approaching the doorway, laughter and friendly conversations increased, leaving one to wonder, "What is going on in there?" Arriving at the scene, sunlight flushed in from the large windows around the wide-open room. Shelves lined up in rows held countless pieces of carefully hand-crafted pottery. Individuals both young and old were collaborating on a project known as the Clay Olympics held at the Bicentennial Art Institute in Aurora in celebration of the Institute's 30th year.
Linda Mueller, facility manager and pottery coordinator of the Bicentennial Art Institute, who hosted and oversaw all activities, was very pleased when reflecting on the results of this particular occasion. Holding a positive and confident disposition, Mueller proudly spoke of the intended purposes of the Clay Olympics. Such purposes were to promote community involvement in the lives of the youth, provide positive and productive projects for those of any age to take part in, to foster a sense of communication between community members and spark creativity within each individual. Activities included spinning clay on a wheel without hands, producing any specific clay object in the least amount of time, etc. Prizes were offered for the best performance in each activity.
With tables and pottery wheels set up around the room, parents, faculty members and other volunteers assisted the younger children, from 3 to 12 years old, in molding and producing their own works of art. No one seemed to mind the messiness of the clay construction going on around the room.
A parent who testified to that was
Sue Wong, mother of Clay Olympic participant
Mina, 8. "I believe events like this bring about good experience for the youth, because you don't normally see other places where creativity like this is promoted," Wong said. Pointing at the focused children molding clay, she said, "I like to see them work with their hands, to see what they come up with, what they'll do and how they'll be creative, even in the future. This sort of thing stimulates the mind. It promotes creativity differently than sports. It's unique and very different."
Amid the lively atmosphere, where children were tuned into what they were producing, Mina said, "I like doing pottery. This is my first time at this event but it's been my second time doing a pottery event."