Ceramics is students’ passion

PCC students Zachary Miller and Brandon Bateman know exactly what they want to do in life—and that is ceramics.

With red-stained hands from working with clay, and wearing dark sunglasses on top of a white splotched black cap, Miller said his goal in life is to open his own studio and teach.

Working closely with Bateman, his childhood friend, they showcase and sell their works at the Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival and at ceramic shows held twice a year on campus in front of the R Building.

“I work in the ceramics studio [at PCC] as a lab tech with one of the teachers on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I help out with the kilns and cleaning and things like that,” Miller said.

Their plan is to open a studio, perhaps somewhere in Eagle Rock once they have enough to get started, he said.

Bateman, through email, said his parents own a Water Heating Maintenance Company that he hopes will be given to him and Miller once Bateman’s parents retire.

“The goal is not to create a studio overnight, or even in a month,” he said, “The idea is to start things small and allow it to grow. Our idea is to have a studio and gallery. We will offer classes, sell supplies, as well as show and sell artwork, both our own or the work of any other suitable artist.”

Miller said they have already bought a kiln and slab, and will soon have enough to get started.

“I want to teach and it’d be a good thing for kids by opening opportunities for people in art,” he said. “I feel like they just need to keep art classes because people need to do some sort of art to ease their stress. Art in general gives you that.”

As for what art gives him, Miller said, “It’s just really fun and relaxing. You can be mad and it’ll calm you down completely.”

What also draws him to ceramics is getting lost in the action of doing it. Miller admits that he does pottery every day and it has become so ingrained as part of his daily routine that he would go crazy if he didn’t create something each day.

“I do mostly throwing at the wheel, and I’m getting into sculptures. Just taking classes here gave me a lot of techniques and working in a studio helps give an idea of how to run one,” he said. “Coming here was the best thing for me.”

For Bateman, it is a similar experience.

“I signed up for ceramics class and instantly fell in love,” Bateman said. “I personally try to get my hands in any kind of work that has to do with clay. There is something extremely rewarding in taking a ball, which is essentially the crust of the earth, and turning it into something that is beautiful and can be enjoyed and used by people.”

Despite the troubled economy and cutback in liberal arts, Miller said that their aim is to be successful and they are both willing to work hard for it, even if it means taking on multiple jobs to raise the money for it.

“I feel that we can make a career out of it simply because it is what we love to do,” Bateman said. “There is no point in spending your life dreading your job, so might as well make it something you love.”

Miller, too, seemed optimistic about the future. “My parents tell me to follow my heart,” he said. “We are going to do what ever we can to get started. We’re pretty motivated. I feel like if we keep going at it, we’ll make it.”