A POTTER’S TOUCH Exploring junior Anushka Savale’s journey with ceramics
Junior Anushka Savale shapes a bowl on the pottery wheel.
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EL ESTOQUE | MARCH 2020
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unior Anushka Savale explains she has always been “a crafty and artsy person,” interested in everything from painting and drawing to theater. Because of this, ever since she was young, Savale wanted to try pottery. Still, she never really imagined that she would be seriously into pottery until her friend convinced her to take a class together. In eighth grade, Savale began taking classes every Friday in Wilson Park Ceramics Studio, following her teacher and learning different skills. Savale first started by making cups, many of which she says were poorly made. Four years — and many bad cups — later, Savale has grown to fall in love with pottery. She now works at the studio at least once a week and makes much larger pieces, including bowls, plates and vases. Savale explains that pottery comes in two main forms: structural pottery, which tend to be decorative art pieces, and functional pottery, which is pottery one can use, like bowls, plates and utensils. Savale particularly enjoys creating functional pieces, claiming that she is “drawn” to the pottery wheel where most functional items are made. Savale explains that part of the reason she initially struggled with pottery is because engaging with pottery in general can be difficult. Not only are pottery classes and materials, like clay and glaze, relatively expensive, the artform itself is typically a time-consuming process. Projects like mugs can take up to five weeks, and bowls and plates tend to take three weeks. “There are moments where [pottery] can be frustrating,” Savale said. “But for me, I don’t see it as work. I just see it as a place where I can find happiness in a way and [just put] everything of me into the piece. So it never becomes like, ‘Now I have to do this. Now I have to do this.’ It’s always just, ‘Great, I get to do this next thing.’” As she gained experience, Savale began sharing her passion with her friends, even taking junior Cassey Bogdan to a class with her. Although Bogdan never ended up pursuing pottery, Bogdan explains that learning pottery, especially with someone as passionate as Savale, was “impressive” and “super cool.” “I’m honestly really proud of her,” Bogdan said. “I see professional pottery
BY LANCE TONG AND STUTI UPADHYAY
PHOTO | ADITI DIXIT
