During Wellesley Middle school years, 8th grade students are given the choice of several electives within the visual art dept. This allows students interested in art to choose a specific art material they would like to concentrate on. For Ceramics students, they will be challenged to explore further with clay as their primary art material. Students will learn how best to manipulate the material with additive and subtractive methods. Both coil and hand building techniques are taught in order to express their creativity in clay and the use of glaze in order to add color and more dimension after the clay is bisque fired. By the end of the course, students will have a strong foundation of elements and principles of art within a 3D format to bring to the next level if they so choose to continue their studies of visual art at the high school level.
Students at Work
Finished Student Work
Instructor/Educator
Jessica Lau is a dedicated educator with over a decade of experience teaching within the Wellesley Public School system. Since joining the district in 2010, Jessica has had the opportunity to teach at all grade levels K-12, providing a comprehensive understanding of students’ developmental needs and academic growth trajectories.
Equipped with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Syracuse University and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Lesley University, Jessica possesses a formidable arsenal of knowledge and expertise. Her passion for education is paralleled by her profound affinity for ceramics. This dedication has led to immersive experiences, including international study at the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute in China, instructing at the New Art Center in Newton and working as a production potter for Jill Rosenwald Studio in Boston.
As an educator, Jessica is committed to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression in every student. Through hands-on experiences, collaborative projects, and personalized instruction, she empowers students to discover their artistic voice and develop essential skills for lifelong learning.