MCHS students learn ceramic art
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District<br> Mifflin County High School students have been busy making mugs in their ceramics class.
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District<br> Mifflin County High School students have been busy making mugs in their ceramics class.
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District<br> Mifflin County High School students have been busy making mugs in their ceramics class.
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District<br> Mifflin County High School students have been busy making mugs in their ceramics class.
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District<br> Mifflin County High School students have been busy making mugs in their ceramics class.
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District<br> Mifflin County High School students have been busy making mugs in their ceramics class.
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District<br> Mifflin County High School students have been busy making mugs in their ceramics class.
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District<br> Mifflin County High School students have been busy making mugs in their ceramics class.
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LEWISTOWN -- When Mifflin County High School art teacher Aimee Parsons-Hubley's ceramics students look at the seven to nine projects they make each semester, there's always one that ranks at the top.
"Mugs are always a group favorite," Parsons-Hubley explained. "There are several different building and throwing techniques involved, so it's a nice project assignment for students to show off what they can do."
All of Parsons-Hubley's Ceramics 1 classes made mugs, which includes about 75 students. From start to finish, it took about three weeks to make a mug. A good chunk of that time is firing them in the kiln and drying times.
The finished products came in all shapes, sizes and colors. Parsons-Hubley gives her students few constraints, so they let their creativity and imagination run wild.
"There are goals and guidelines to follow, such as using the correct clay body and glazes, sizes, ergonomic handle, well-crafted, etc.," she explained. But other than that, students are on their own.
Their final products certainly demonstrated their personalities.
"All food safe glazes were used," Parsons-Hubley said. "They have about 8 to 10 colors to select from, but the real wow factor comes when the colors are layered or mixed, and something new and unexpected comes out of the kiln.
"I love this part when students are able to experiment," she added.
Students in the Art Club also recently donated their work - soup bowls - to have it sold by the LUMINA Center in Lewistown for the inaugural Souper Bowl Sunday on Feb. 11. Proceeds benefited the center's Power Pack program, which ensures food insecure students receive weekend meals to eat.
"Happy art teacher here!" Parsons-Hubley wrote after posting a photo of the mugs on social media. "A kiln full of final project mugs and lots of art club bowls for the upcoming Super Bowl Sunday fundraising event."
While a typical project can last two to three weeks, the students have several going on at one time. Some mug projects are in the building stages, while others are drying and still others might be getting glazed. Call it: mug maneuvering. "There is a lot of juggling and organization to keep things moving along nicely," Parsons-Hubley said.
And while some students wind up with seven to nine projects, some exceed that number for several reasons. "Of course, some students will create more if they have the time, drive and creativity," she added.
For more information about the Mifflin County High School Art Department, follow them on Instagram @mchs_visual_arts.