Canton High School Ceramics Students Get Up-Close View of Artist in Action

Renee Hughes' Ceramics I and II students at Canton High School recently had the chance to learn from Simsbury-based artist Vicente Garcia. 

Garcia, an artist who works with clay, steel and a combination of the two, demonstrated numerous techniques for the students and offered several practical tips as he made several pieces during a recent classroom session. 

He also offered some laughs, at one point mentioning how so many in American culture fear things like getting their hands dirty. 

"Can you imagine if my parents said don't play with mud?" he asked. "I'd probably be sitting behind a computer right now." 

In January, the students will have the chance to visit his studio and glaze and fire their own pieces under his guidance. 

Garcia has worked with clay for some 30 years. A professional artist and professor at Central Connecticut State University, he has been working with Canton schools since 2007. He generally visits twice a year. 

Lindsay Sugar, a junior and Ceramics I student, said watching Garcia work was "mindblowing."

"I thought it was really cool — just the way he move the clay so quickly," she said. 

For more on Garcia, visit his Web site.