NHS Art Selected For ‘Experience Clay’

By Eliza Hallabeck

After participating in the K–12 National Ceramic Exhibition in 2009, Newtown High School teacher Carol Pelligra was approached by Maureen Mackey about submitting images of her students’ work, as well as her own, for consideration for a book the author was working on.

Last spring, Ms Pelligra learned that some of images would be used for Experience Clay by Ms Mackey, but not which ones.

Now, the students and Ms Pelligra have received copies of the published text book in the mail. Several of the students represented — Samantha Allen, Alyssa Rodriguez, Christopher Gregory, and Jackie Rosa — already graduated from NHS. Current seniors Emily Rowe, Taylor Johnson, and Nicole Gindraux all said this week they were surprised to receive the book in the mail.

“I thought my mom had ordered some college prep book or something,” said Emily. “Then when I opened it, it wasn’t [a college prep book.]” Emily’s ceramic work “Seahorses” is published on page 42.

Ms Pelligra also has two ceramic works printed in the book, “Waterfall Teapot” and “Bamboo Jar.”

“Forty-nine is my page,” said Taylor, whose work “Lighthouse” was selected for print. “It showed up to my house, the book, and my mom and I though it was for a college.”

After reading the accompanying letter, Taylor said she was surprised.

“It’s a big accomplishment,” she said.

NHS now has ten copies of the book, and at Nicole’s house her ceramic work “Blowfish” has earned a more prominent display space. Before the book arrived, Nicole said, “Blowfish” was on a bottom shelf, but it is now above the fireplace.

“I’m just very proud of my students,” said Ms Pelligra. “The students in this town are great, and the work they do is incredible.”