Ceramics offers courses in both wheel throwing and sculptural hand-building. There are several introductory elective classes for students to choose from. Upon completion of an introductory class, students can choose to enroll in the Advanced Ceramics class before continuing on for the honors level Ceramics Intensive program. The Ceramics Studio has 14 student wheels, a designated space for sculptural hand-built work to be created, another designated area for recycling clay, and an area for glazing the work students produce. There is a separate kiln room which houses 3 electric kilns to fire all the clay works. Students are encouraged to take creative risks in both the wheel throwing and the hand-building sculpture classes.
Students at Work
Finished Student Work
Instructor/Educator
Thom has been the PreK-12 Director of Art since joining the Wellesley Public Schools in 2004. Over his 30-year teaching career he has taught at Primary, Secondary, and the College levels. He has a B.S. in Journalism from The University of Kansas, a B.F.A. in Printmaking and Graphic Design from Massachusetts College of Art (Mass Art), and a M.S.A.E. from Mass Art. He lives in Wellesley with his wife and their two children who are alums of the Wellesley Public Schools.
Ms. Larson has been teaching visual arts in the Wellesley Public Schools since 2001. Starting her career as a 6th & 7th grade visual art teacher and 8th grade black and white photography teacher. Currently, Ms. Larson runs to Ceramics programs at WHS. This includes wheel-throwing, hand-building and ceramics sculpture. Classes taught in the past include Art Journaling and Social Justice Through Art. Ms. Larson has coached softball and soccer for WPS in the past and currently coaches Varsity Ceramics.