Wheel throwing, the art of shaping ceramics on a potter’s wheel, is a thriving program within the art department at Oak Park and River Forest High School. The school offers multiple levels of classes and an after-school club, which sponsors the annual Empty Bowls charity event every spring.
Students are able to join both the club and enroll in classes. After taking an entry level art course, students have the opportunity to take an introduction level class to wheel throwing.

Bridget Doherty, who runs all divisions of wheel throwing, said that the class primarily serves to “ease students into a ceramics studio and pottery in general.”

Following the first step, students can also continue by taking Intermediate Wheel Throwing. After that, the most advanced students can take Advanced 3D.

Doherty emphasized the student roles in the class, saying that “students essentially choose and make the curriculum.”

Doherty also oversees the wheel throwing club. She said that all students are welcome to join, and no prior experience or coursework is needed.  One of the club’s primary purposes is to create bowls for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. People attending the event purchase a handmade bowl and fill it with donated food. The proceeds support organizations fighting hunger.

This year’s event was held on March 1. Empty Bowls is student-led, and club members organize all of the details, including contacting restaurants to acquire donations of bread and soup. Doherty says that “it is mostly a service based club.”

“The club has such a strong community, and everyone is so accepting and willing to help one another,” she said, adding, “students will always take the opportunity to help build somebody up, and when you’re in the space we’re all in there together.”

She also underlined that even in wheel throwing classes, a bond is evident. She said that “as we typically have smaller classes, we all know each other and we’re all really tight.”

Club member Olive Merrill, a junior, said the community within wheel throwing is “super collaborative and supportive.” Wheel throwing offers students a unique chance to both learn new skills and work in a team building environment.

Doherty said that “a large part of this is shaping people into being great community members in and out of a classroom, which is really powerful.”

She highlighted that the skills used and learned in wheel throwing can translate to various other pursuits. “The exploration of knowledge is just endless, and that’s something I like as a teacher and a person.”

Merrill added that wheel throwing also “really encourages creativity, and apart from doing projects to focus on technique, the wheel throwing program is very self-driven.”

Wheel Throwing Club President Anna Miller said, “I’ve really appreciated having a space to grow as an artist and make friends.”

Doherty encouraged students to explore what the club has to offer. “I would encourage all students to give wheel throwing a try because it provides great opportunities for many skills to be strengthened.”

Miller also said that “pottery is such a fun outlet, and it’s gratifying to make pieces that you can bring home and use.”

Merrill agreed, adding, “Anyone who is interested should absolutely take advantage of it. Although wheel throwing requires lots of patience and effort, when it pays off it really is worth it.”