No matter what your interest is as an artist, many would agree that art comes from the heart. For Nicole Petersohn, a WCU senior, this could not be further from the truth.
Petersohn has found her artistic passion in the form of pottery and Western has been a wonderful place for it to flourish. Growing up in Fuquay-Varina, Petersohn was exposed to pottery at an early age.
“My parents owned a ceramics studio when I was a child,” Petersohn said.”I barely remember it, but I used to hang out there all the time.”
When it came to college picking, Petersohn found her way to WCU in 2019 to join the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band and soon participated with the band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Petersohn’s grandmother, who was volunteering at her parent’s ceramics store, saw potential and urged Petersohn to look into a ceramics program at the university.
After sitting on a waitlist, Petersohn returned to WCU in late 2021 and was fortunate to be accepted into the ceramic program. Immediately falling in love with the pottery-making process, Petersohn learned quickly and discovered abilities she never knew she had.
“It’s funny how it all came full circle. Growing up with parents who owned a ceramics studio, I would have never known I’d end up doing something I spent so much time around as a kid. It’s like it was meant to be,” Petersohn shared.
Since her acceptance, Petersohn recently satisfied her ceramic requirements by completing four classes as well as two independent-study summer classes. Unfortunately, students who finish the program lose access to the university ceramic lab. That didn’t stop Petersohn. She has since found a home at the Southwestern Community College in Franklin and uses a studio on the property to continue her art. Additionally, the college is happy to supply her with her own clay and Petersohn hopes to one day teach pottery skills to others at SCC. However, her pottery passion doesn’t reside just at the Franklin campus. Petersohn has a personal studio at her Cullowhee residence and was happy to show me what it takes to create “vessels,” so she calls them.
Having done an online application showcasing Petersohn’s art portfolio, she was recently given an opportunity to participate in a remote study funded by the WCU School of Arts near the Outer Banks. The course is in late July and is called “Exploring Native Arts.” Petersohn will have the opportunity to discover her own natural workable clay, fine tune it, and process it.
“I’m really excited to learn to work with the clay and rocks beneath my feet,” Petersohn said. “Working with wild clay is extremely difficult so I’m excited to experiment and learn how to work the materials into something awesome!”
Things are looking up for the talented artist. Petersohn aims to graduate this December and has no plans to stop her passion after such. I asked if she had any advice for anyone who wants to create and spread the art of pottery.
“Pottery takes a lot of time and dedication. Working with the material and responding to the strengths and weaknesses with each piece is the best way to make yourself better,” Petersohn shared. “Don’t be frustrated losing pieces. It makes the ones that survive much more meaningful. Have fun!”
Petersohn took me through the pottery-making process upon my visit and to my surprise, I learned that the process of making ceramics is known as “throwing” which is a method of forming artifacts on a “potter’s wheel.” After some quick research, I learned that our word “throw” is a derivation of the old word “thrawan” which means to “twist and turn.” This explains why artists such as Petersohn rotate the clay as they form the finished product.
Other methods of creating pottery are “hand building” which is as it sounds. This involves physically attaching individual pieces to create a product. “Slip casting” is also a method which usually involves clay being poured into plaster molds.
I asked her how long it takes to make each piece. “My time spent throwing usually depends on what I’m making,” Petersohn said.
For this demonstration, Petersohn kept it simple and created a small bowl. I was able to capture the process step by step.
First was to “wedge” the clay. This removes any air pockets that might interfere with the finished product. At this point, the clay is in its natural form.
Next was a step that Petersohn referred to as “centering.” As the clay is spun on the potter’s wheel, it is centered which allows for smoother shaping.
The third step in the process is “coning”. The clay begins to rise while Petersohn continues to make sure it stays centered on the wheel.
At this point, Petersohn begins to “open up the clay” which gives the clay a more recognizable form. She also brings up the walls of the piece.
By this point, the bowl has reached a point where it can be dried via heat gun, and separated with a thin metal cord that Petersohn runs beneath the base. I asked her about the use of the newspaper during this process. “It seals the lip to hold the shape while I use a heat gun on the walls,” Petersohn said. “Newspaper keeps the circle shape so there’s no warping when I remove it.”
There you have it! One bowl ready to go. After nearly 15 minutes the process is complete.
Bowls like the one shown above are just one in hundreds of different vessels Petersohn can craft. Other products among her repertoire include plates, cups, mugs, and much more. Petersohn’s work has not only granted her the opportunity to share her work with the public but has also opened numerous doors for greater opportunities.
Interested in buying some of Petersohn’s pottery? You’re in luck! She launched her own website in March and since then, has gained an impressive following and reputation throughout the Cullowhee community and beyond. Aside from personal creations, Petersohn is happy to take custom orders to fit personal needs of the customer.
No matter what your passion for art may be, one thing is sure. As long as WCU is providing for students like Petersohn, the future for ceramic art will continue to grow as long as the earth and the “potter’s wheel” spins.
