As a group of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-olds gather around an art table Monday for their first clay class of the summer at the Winfield Arts and Humanities Council art room in Baden Square’s community center, it’s easy to see this class is going to be a handful.
Most are attentive as they quickly slip on their name tags and sketch out on paper the dog or cat they want to make out of clay. But a few are jumping the gun, poking and prodding at round balls of heavy gray clay as they await their teacher’s instruction.
Artist in Residence Leigh Ann Tasker of Winfield knows how to handle these kids. She’s had four of her own and as she talks, she circles the table keeping an eye on everyone. Her lecture is interspersed with warnings.
“Let’s talk about clay,” Tasker begins. “It’s just good dirt.” As one anxious youngster reaches for his clay she tells him to wait until he’s heard the instructions. But she also encourages. “Whatever you do is gonna be wonderful.”
Tasker herself knows a thing or two about patience. It’s taken her nearly 30 years to finish her art degree and start teaching after taking a detour to raise a family. In December she graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in art education.
Tasker’s education shows. She demonstrates how the kids can make the stiff clay balls more pliable by warming them up with their hands. She also explains the difference between making a long dog’s snout and a cat’s petite nose. Soon, a lumpy line of clay puppies and kittens has formed, all adorably misshapen.
With just 45 minutes to keep these kid’s attention, the class is over nearly as soon as it began and Tasker takes a minute to chat before the next group of kids files in.
“It’s a great kinetic activity,” said Tasker of the clay work. “It helps the kids use parts of their brains that may not be activated in other ways.”
As Artist in Residence, Tasker will spend 20 hours a week at her job. This summer she’s teaching classes and during the school year she enters the school system ? per teacher request ? to help with artwork. The part-time status gives her time to explore her own creative urges, as well. Her goal, she says, is to eventually teach full-time in the school system.
“This job is great,” said Tasker. “I get to work on my own projects and I get to interact with other artists. And Winfield has a lot of great artists. I’m learning a lot. It gives me a chance to use my education.”
Tasker has lent new life to the Artist in Residence position, but over the past year things were not always so bright. Tasker took up her post this spring as previous Artist in Residence, Lazare Rottach returned to Minnesota after less than a year on the job.
Before leaving, Rottach wrote a disgruntled letter to the local newspaper, complaining Winfield fails to support its artists. Rottach used strong language in the letter in which he proclaimed himself a “struggling” artist.
His lengthy letter closed with a warning: “Be careful, Winfield, you will lose your talent, your brains, your culture and all that will be left is Wal-Mart, Hicksville and your page 5 catalogs you’re living in.”
Arts and Humanities Director Laura McPherson said her office did get some response from Rottach’s letter.
“Yeah, we had a few phone calls from patrons who were upset,” said McPherson. “Our board handled it.”
Tasker’s filling of the position has worked out well for all concerned, according to the director.
“It was a good fit,” said McPherson.
Besides clay and pottery, Tasker also teaches painting and fiber classes. To find out more about the classes Tasker is offering this summer contact the Winfield Arts and Humanities Council at 221-2161, or stop by their offices at 700 Gary, St. A and B.