Many of the students said creating these detailed works helps soothe anxiety.
A local group was recently formed with a mission to help kids gain training and education in various artforms by removing the factor of cost for them. The group is called Young Indiana Artists, and it was created by local woman Bandy Russell, who took it upon herself to obtain a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission to fund the group.
“The purpose of this program was to allow kids that didn’t have the financial means to access professional training and be able to further their skills and learn from others if they can create a career out of art, if they wanted,” Russell said last month. “So that’s where the Young Indiana Artists kind of bloomed from, as a lot of the programs are a financial burden and a lot of kids don’t have the means to do that.”
The kids were first able to learn pottery at Hesitation Point Pottery off State Road 46, just east of Nashville. There, the students first learned an overview of various pottery techniques. After learning a little bit about each option they had at their disposal, they decided on their own what techniques interested them and how they wanted to create their own pieces.
Some of the students enjoyed molding and shaping their clay by hand to make decorative items. Some used carving instruments to make pieces they could hang up at home, some shaped miniature figures to set up on a shelf or table, and another hand-molded tree trunk-like water bowls for their pet lizard.
Another student chose to more practical items, instead of decorative, in the form of a plate, bowl and mug. According to his teacher, he had no prior experience with pottery, but he was able to quickly master the fastest spinning wheel and shape those items in only three or four weeks.
All of the students agreed that working with clay was an enjoyable experience, and it even helped some with their anxiety.
Russell said she was originally motivated to start Young Indiana Artists in 2019, because there was a drawing program she wished to enroll her daughter in, but it was out of her budget.
“There was no way that I could afford that time to give her that professional experience,” Russell said. “So that’s what kind of budded out the Young Indiana Artists idea, is that any of the talented artists wouldn’t be hindered by their income, so that they could have those experiences, they could get that professional experience at a younger age.”
Russell also said she did not want to limit the group to just those 18 or above, because she recognized that a lot of artists need training and education as they’re growing.
“I also wanted them to be able to have knowledge and access to those who do it as a profession, to learn that art can be a profession for some people,” she said.
Using the grant money, Russell was able to purchase tools for all the current students, so that they can take them home and use for whatever they wish. She also said she received donations of glazes from Brickyard Ceramics, which she did not expect that at all, according to her.
“It all helps support (the kids), so that I didn’t have to spend that money out-of-pocket, so I can use it for more opportunities,” Russell said about the donations.
Russell said she has a mixed-media artist lined up for instruction in the fall. She said it will be a two-day program, and the amount of students she can enroll will depend on funding that remains.
“Any outside support would be greatly appreciated,” Russell said. “I would love to keep this going and use different artists moving forward and keep giving the kids opportunities that are interesting. Having willing artists to work with these kids is really important.”
To learn more information about getting your young artists involved or donating to the cause, Russell can be reached at [email protected].
