More Meaningful Experiences – A Student Reflection

As is common with the Common Good Atlanta curriculum, the students participating in the program are being introduced to another discipline in the humanities, which offers them not only course instruction but also an exploration of rich history and inspirational life experiences.

This July, the Common Good Atlanta students who are on pace to graduate this fall have the privilege of taking an Intro to Ceramics class, taught by Michelle Laxalt, a professor at Morehouse College. Professor Laxalt’s class is designed to introduce students to various processes in clay sculpting–pull/pinch shaping, relief sculpting, firing, and glazing, to name a few.

Each class session includes some history behind the process and people responsible for where the art form is today, examples of works of art from around the world, and personal experiences of students and the teacher that reflect real life. And because Professor Laxalt practices the art of ceramic sculpting professionally and teaches its various techniques to students ranging in age from 5-year-olds to seniors, her students are afforded true life experiences of how learning the art of ceramic sculpting has had an impact in many different ways. Once again, the Common Good Atlanta experience has proven to be both meaningful and usable for those who are fortunate to be part of it.