Hamilton, Ohio – Fitton Center pottery students have a new tool.
Not a wheel or a kiln. Rather a way to connect with their work, with their fellow students and with their instructors.
Director of Education Kate Rowekamp and Pottery Studio Manager Amanda Joy Phirman introduced the interactive Pottery Studio News page on the Fitton Center webiste January 9.
“Welcome! This is your go-to place for all updates related to our pottery studio,” the page says. “Connect with other students, share your progress, and get inspired by the community's creativity.”
Phirman said the idea for the new page came as an answer to a student request for information over the holidays.
“Somebody reached out about when the kilns were going to fire, but there was nobody here to answer them,” she said. “We decided we could use some better communication in the studio, specifically about the kilns.”
The early results are positive. Less than a week after launch, nearly half of the 53 registered Winter Session pottery students logged on to the new page. With more likely to follow as word spreads.
“I feel like with tech stuff, if it’s too complicated people won’t want to do it,” Rowekamp said. “I think this is pretty accessible, pretty easy. It’s set up similar to how a Facebook group would operate. It’s just more accessible since you don’t necessarily have to have a Facebook account to use it.”
Phirman said providing information on kiln schedules, artwork pickup and inventory for glazes and clays may have been the impetus for starting the page, but the connectivity among students beyond class time also is an asset.
“They can share their work, their ideas, and let people see how their pieces are coming and get some feedback,” she said. “It’s a good way to stay in touch between classes and to give and get feedback from their peers.”
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.
Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture
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