January is a month known for New Year’s resolutions. Many have good intentions for starting the new year with a healthier approach to their daily lives, such as working out more and eating better, but often those old habits end up sneaking back by this time— only a few weeks into 2010.
Not so for those who signed up for Surry Community College’s new evening Ceramics I class (ART283). This 15-week class is going strong and the students love it.
How is this related to a New Year’s resolution, you ask? It’s a great way to reduce stress and relax—words often heard by family doctors as a suggestion for healthier living. Health benefits is one reason that Gladys Riddle and her husband, Gray, have for taking the class.
“We’re 70 years old, and we look forward to it every week,” states Gladys Riddle. “It’s social, relaxing, and It’s also a form of physical therapy for me, helping my hands and grip improve from brain surgery I had a few years ago.”
Gladys recently started the art form, but Gray is no stranger to ceramics; he sells some of his work in the lobby of Beaver Creek, a golf course they co-own with their daughter in Dobson.
The Riddles started with the Corporate and Continuing Education course in ceramics and liked it so much they wanted to take the curriculum course to further their study.
Although the course is not new to Surry Community College, this is the first semester it is being offered at night.
According to Ceramics instructor Richard Montgomery, the college added the class to fill a growing number of requests for evening classes. “This course is an elective for the Associate in Arts program, which can completely be taken as an evening degree. Adding this course as an elective gives more options for evening students in that program of study.”
Student Allen Sewell from Jonesville is taking the class as part of his Associate in Arts. This 2007 graduate from Starmount High School really enjoys it. “I like taking this class at night as we get more time per class in the lab to spend on creating our projects. Mr. Montgomery is a really friendly and experienced teacher as well. The class reminds me of Mrs. Wingler's class in high school."
Mary Simmons wanted to take the ceramics class before but could not because she works during the day. Like the Riddles, she took advantage of Corporate and Continuing Education courses, but grew in her hobby to want further instruction.
“I was thrilled to see this course open up at night. It’s such a stress-relief for me after a long day of work,” states Ms. Simmons.
This semester, Richard Montgomery is testing new equipment in the classroom including a ceiling projector and screen. This technology now allows for visuals to accompany his lectures, showing examples of various works of art to spark student creativity and visiting websites that complement the topic of study.
Although the course has already closed for new students this spring, the college plans to continue the night course.
For more information on the ceramics class at Surry Community College, contact Richard Montgomery at (336) 386-3369 or by email montgo2@surry.edu.
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Amanda Wilson working on a coil bowl. |
Mary Simmons at the wheel. |
