Annual Kids Pottery Day to benefit OneEighty

One of the nice things about working with clay is that no matter who the potter is, no individual piece is like any other, with each piece showcasing the personality and flair of its creator.

Coming soon to West Holmes Middle School will be an opportunity for both children and adults to try their hand at creating something handmade from clay.

Holmes County Friends and Neighbors of OneEighty will present its annual Kids Pottery Day on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon in West Holmes Middle School’s art room.

While the name of the event is focused on kids, that shouldn’t stop parents or adults from joining.

“It’s not just for kids,” said Eleanor Runyan, Holmes County Friends and Neighbors committee member. “We invite anyone and definitely parents to get involved. They can help their children or work right alongside them on a piece of their own.”

Those age 3 and older are invited to come create and glaze their own pieces of pottery. Parents may help their child or make their own piece but are not required to. This event is led by Amy Rohr, WHMS art teacher.

Rohr has all of the tools, clay and glaze necessary, and she will have several of her middle school art students there to help the event run smoothly, giving tips to kids and helping them along.

According to Rohr, depending on the individual, each piece takes approximately 30-60 minutes to complete. The cost is $12 per piece, and there is no limit to the number of pieces a person may create.

Pottery will be fired and delivered in February to locations in Holmes County.

“This is a fun event for everyone who attends,” Runyan said. “It’s a really great way to spend a cold winter morning, and it’s always exciting to see what types of creative pieces the kids come up with.”

She said Rohr will have several ideas participants can follow, or they can get creative in any way they choose.

“Some of the kids will sit and play with the clay for a long time, and others choose to dive right in and get started,” Runyan said. “It’s fascinating to watch the kids work and to see how creative they can be.”

She said in addition to the kids having a chance to play in the clay, which by itself is always fun to watch, they have created all types of different pieces, from bowls and vases to plaques, flowers, animals and many other pieces.

Not only do they get to make the clay artwork, Rohr supplies the many different colors of glaze that make each piece come to life.

While having fun is central, so too is the fundraising aspect, with all of the proceeds going back to OneEighty through the kindness of Holmes County Friends and Neighbors.

Friends and Neighbors is a local organization dedicated to providing financial and emotional support to victims of domestic violence and addictions. Its primary function is fundraising for OneEighty, along with increasing public awareness and promoting community outreach to support the programs within the agency.

OneEighty is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people in and around Holmes and Wayne counties. OneEighty provides domestic violence and rape crisis services and counseling; substance abuse, addiction and treatment services; mental health and housing and supportive services; and community relations and prevention education. OneEighty works to help people change direction.

Runyan also said a big thank you goes out to the event sponsors: After Burner Performance, Holmes Siding, Shoemaker Custom Apparel, Paint Valley Equipment, ProVia, Dutchman Hospitality, Denco Marketing, Killbuck Savings Bank, Bronze Self Storage, Mic and Leah Miller, and the Judy Alexander Trust.

Anyone with questions may call Runyan at 330-231-1165.