Summer learning opportunity taken by creative arts major

by Page Olsen ’20, Staff Writer

A LVC student had the unique privilege of learning from a visiting ceramics artist this past summer.

Isabel Campbell, a second-semester freshman creative arts major, learned how to make ceramic busts from Kourtney Stone, a current master of fine arts student at Georgia State University. Her technique utilizes building with clay slabs, a technique Campbell was previously unfamiliar with.

“I ended up making an old man because the facial features we started with was the nose and the nose just screamed ‘old man’ to me,” Campbell said. “I didn’t have anyone to base it off of. It said who it was going to be to me.”

Prior to this experience, Campbell had taken one ceramics course. Professor Karen Beall, adjunct instructor of art and studio coordinator, knew Campbell was interested in developing her skills and presented this learning opportunity. Both Beall and Campbell learned Stone’s technique together.

“I would love to make more busts and use that as a medium of my artistic expression,” Campbell said.

Before coming to LVC, Campbell did not have the opportunity to learn ceramics due to her school’s lack of a kiln. However, she has quickly learned to love this medium.

“It was very cool to be able to hear what an artist’s using their abilities for and how they’re continuing their education in those fields,” Campbell said.

Campbell expressed that this past summer with Stone has inspired her and has influenced her artistic direction for this semester.