Ceramics students create, sell artwork

The annual ceramics sale is underway in the Citrus College Art Center.

The Citrus College Ceramics Program continues its tradition to hold its annual ceramics sale headed by fine arts professor Michael Hillman for about 14 years.

"When we sell, the students benefit because they have paid for the clay, the basic materials and for the class," Hillman said.

Hillman teaches four ceramics courses ranging from beginning to advanced material. Part of the curriculum is to make ceramic art.

Beginning students learn basic forming techniques on the potter's wheel as lab work.

Intermediate students learn more advanced techniques, building larger pieces, matching pieces and creating advanced surface decorations.

The design and decoration class works with ceramics in three-dimensional form, as well as carving and glazing techniques.

Advanced students create dinnerware sets and matching bowls.

Students whose work is for sale have been in the program for two to four years, so it is high quality and made at Citrus, Hillman said.

Seventy percent of the proceeds go back to the students to re-invest in supplies and materials and the other 30 percent goes to the ceramics club.

Previous proceeds have been used to purchase two kilns, a pug mill and an entire ceramics library of books stored in their department.

Some of the funds may be used to compensate an artist guest speaker.

Hillman said he started working with clay when he was in third grade.

He went on to complete his master's in ceramics.

"Clay is a very likable, enjoyable medium and it's hands-on," he said. "All cultures and all peoples have always used clay to create with."

Hillman was also selected out of a national competition of more than 1,000 entries to design the Glendora station for the upcoming Gold Line in 2014.

Part of his proposal, he said, was that he will be using students to do the work.

Students who enjoy ceramics take classes at Citrus because the tools and materials are expensive elsewhere, he said.

The sale gives student the opportunity to learn how to price their work, how to market it and how to display it, he said.

Lab technician, Lynn Hendricks, a graduate of the Citrus ceramics program, has been a participant in the sale for 10 years.

She sells tumblers, wall pieces and ceramic jewelry and her products range from $5 to $40.

She described her style as organic as she likes to expose the fact that the product is clay.

"I attend a lot of museums and look at ethnic decorations and surface designing decorations," Hendricks said. "We have a diverse culture here, and I get inspiration from that as well."

Working at Citrus gives her opportunity to learn more about diversity as the program attracts students from different countries, she said.

Art major Scott Pangburn, 21, has enrolled in three Citrus ceramics courses.

"I like to work with my hands a lot more physically instead of sitting down with a canvas and paint," Pangburn said.

Pangburn is selling plates, bowls and lidded vessels.

He said he hasn't been working in clay long enough to develop a personal style, but he designs with swirls and shapes, as he would like to pursue ceramics as a career.

The ceramics sale continues today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Art Center, Room 117.

Prices range from $1 to $150.