Students learn the art of pottery at French Camp Academy
Dirty hands and an extra measure of patience are two requirements of French Camp Academy students who are learning the craft at the Pottery Studio, located in the town’s historic district.
With instruction by Susan Donald, the students turn out a variety of pottery items bearing the distinct lettering of “Children of God.”
From the potter’s wheel, students create items associated with the seasons, holidays and school events. Items are sold at Harvest Festival, Frontier Day, Rodeo, Log Cabin Gift Shop and other locations.
“Students must have patience, with waiting required at every stage,” said Donald. From the potter’s wheel to the kiln for firing, and between final touches of painting and glazing there is waiting between each step. Patience is definitely a good virtue for becoming a potter, she added.
Time spent at the Pottery Studio is part of the work program of French Camp Academy, with students assigned on a nine-week rotation to various work areas of the school.
In addition to commercial clay, many of the items made at French Camp are made from clay taken from local ground. Preparing the local clay requires more patience, with several steps required in preparing the clay for use in the Pottery Studio, according to Donald.
The local clay adds a variety of color to many of the items created in the studio. Some veins provide deep red, while others provide brown and gray clay, she said. Items made from the local clay are marked with French Camp lettering.
Much of the pottery created by the students is unique, with horsehair and feathers used to provide distinct markings which only appear on the items after being fired in the kiln.
FCA senior Kenzi Seawright of Ocean Springs, said she enjoys her assigned time in the Pottery Studio. As she cut strips of clay to form a basket, said she the Pottery Studio is an enjoyment she has at the school.
Located in the former French Camp post office building, the pottery shop is in keeping with the historic district, having been moved from Main Street to its current location adjacent to the Drane Home, one of the attractions of the historic area.
Instructor Donald and her husband are former house parents at FCA and he is currently serving as director of historic district facilities.
Although always interested in crafts, Susan said she had never touched clay before she took a wheel class from a Jackson potter. After coming to French Camp, she benefited from instruction by a German potter who became interested in the school after visiting the Council House.
