Polka Dot Clay Studio: Alma Mater

An impossible back bend...

I paid a visit to my mom today. She had just recently returned from surgery to remove more skin cancer. The doctors had removed a sizable chunk of her scalp, and she was feeling terrible. My dad said that she was in so much pain, she hadn't slept for two nights. But, she was putting on a brave face for my visit. My mom has endured so many medical problems during her life. It feels endless. And, she is so patient with it all. My dad humbly thanked all of her doctors during his blessing over our dinner. After I left, I was feeling very blue. So, I drove down the road and visited a place full of happy memories.

My elementary school was a place that I loved. Even though it was painted institutional apple green, and it shared the same name as a prison, I liked attending school there. At the front entrance was a flagpole, surrounded by a large open box with a ceramic mural. I always loved to touch the tiles of the mural. This school was the first place that I used clay. Our school had a kiln, and we all made many projects. Art was important, it was actively taught.

The last time that I visited the school was about two years ago. The tile mural has long since been relocated, but it still exists after 45 years. There are beautiful native plant gardens in between the wings of classrooms, and there are some new painted murals and sculptures. It makes me so happy that the school is still such a friendly, welcoming place.

I want to thank Ruth Ann Harrison. I never had her as a teacher, and she taught at the school way before my time, but I know that she probably had a hand in purchasing the kiln at the school. I owe her and some of my teachers there a huge debt of gratitude.