State of the Arts Charlie Tefft ’97
MODELING FLEXIBILITY THE PANDEMIC PROMPTED Charlie Tefft ‘97 to make a change in the structure of his introductory ceramics class that he has taught at Guilford since 1999. The change also spurred increased engagement with students, helping to create more proficient potters. In the class, students learn how to use the potter’s wheel and make functional pots. “The focus is on seeing form and shape and thinking about ergonomics in the way that our bodies interact with something,” Charlie says. “We make a lot of smaller items like cups and mugs — objects that are intimate in the way we interact with them — and talk about how to make something that is gratifying.” Charlie describes himself as a potter who creates unique and functional pots, which he paints with images of animals that he has had experiences with or encountered in North Carolina. To allow for more physical distancing this fall semester, Charlie divided the course into two groups, each as a twohour session. Students receive more oneon-one attention and guidance with this format than in larger and longer classes. Learning to use the potter’s wheel is exciting, but Charlie admits that things can go wrong fairly quickly. “When
PHOTOS BY JENNA SCHAD
someone is beginning to learn how to use the potter’s wheel, a simple hand
faster with this change. “I’m able to see
movement in the wrong direction can
art with every student right there and
potentially crush the piece,” Charlie
to talk to them about that.”
says. “So with this arrangement I’m able
Ultimately, modeling flexibility in
to get to every student and give them
his classroom was important to Charlie.
more attention and reinforcement.”
“I focus on being open to what happens
Although the new structure requires additional time, Charlie says that his students are learning and progressing
instead of feeling like I have to control everything all the time.”
— B. Schuh W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 2 1
