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photo by Marcus Frazier
Ceramics instructor Selma Fortenberry paints the comb of a large ceramic rooster at the Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-Purpose Center during its Tuesday morning ceramics class.
Art projects help locals relax
Published Tuesday, September 23, 2008
NATCHEZ — Need peace of mind? Try this hobby — painting chickens and skateboarding turtles.
It truly helps lighten the load for Selma Fortenberry and Bobbie Funches.
On Tuesdays, the two, along with a number other regulars at the Seniors Citizens Multi-Purpose Center, can be found giving life to ceramic figurines through the use of a paintbrush and some glaze.
Fortenberry, the center’s ceramics instructor, does the mold filling and firing.
Photo by Marcus Frazier
Bobbie Funches decorates a ceramic rooster figurine at the Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-Purpose Center during the Tuesday morning ceramics class.
“It’s more of a hobby than a job,” she said. “My husband and I used to have a ceramics shop. But it got expensive since we gave away more than we sold.”
Fortenberry has worked at the center for eight years.
“Other than clearing your mind, ceramics is good therapy because it makes you feel good accomplishing something on your own,” she said.
Funches, a novice, began in April and enjoys the hobby because it takes her mind off everything else, she said.
“To know you can do such things after you get up in age feels good,” Funches said.
Ceramics class participants purchase plain pieces for about $3 each.
Finished pieces are also available for purchase for no more than $20.
Comments
Posted by Southernly18 (anonymous) on September 23, 2008 at 12:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can teens go there?? That looks very fun and interesting to me!
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on September 23, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Heck, Southernly...I'm 39 and want to go! We could learn a lot by interacting with the elderly. They are living history lessons, if we just listen!
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on September 23, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey you two, this is a great place for seniors, and I'm sure you would be welcomed to visit whenever you have the time. I have visited several times and the artwork is outta' this world. Hobbies are great for the elderly by keeping the mind working and flowing. I'm thinking about getting active in the programs but so for all I hold is the transport bus pass. $0.50 takes you any where you want to go in Natchez /AC. How about that???? Also they have an indoor swimming pool for us old folks.!!!!!
Posted by meluvcookies (anonymous) on September 23, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I used to do ceramics about 25 years ago. I absolutely LOVED it. I used to make things and give them away as Christmas presents, Birthdays, etc. I don't know of anyone local who teaches ceramics to the public and of all ages. The use of kilns (special oven that fires or "bakes" ceramics) is very expensive, I do realize, but there is a huge sense of accomplishment and pride when you see the end results especially on one's face when giving them as a gift. Priceless!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on September 23, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We bought over 600 molds, a kiln and a pour table last year and I have never set it up. Don't even know how to use them, but my husband thought he was getting a bargain on something I enjoy doing! Gotta love him for thinking of me like that! Anyone who knows how to use them is welcome to buy them and set up shop!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on September 24, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another reason the arts are important! From ceramics to oil pastels, art work and crafts can be both soothing as well as educating to those who embark upon it. I took up pottery and ceramics in college and needless to say, it has become a hobby for me. We have a shop here that I go to when I have time and throwing your own items not only makes your work original, but working the clay is fun!
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