LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Just in time for the festive gift-giving season, Los Alamitos High School’s annual ceramics and jewelry sale debuted on Wednesday, Dec. 11 and closed the following Friday. This fan-favorite event allows students to look into the ceramics and 3D design classes. It’s also an opportunity to purchase unique handmade goodies, from trays and tableware to statement accessories and hand-cut ornaments.
The sale has been a valued tradition for over 12 years and grew to include jewelry within the last four. It’s a multi-week passion project that relies on extensive coordination from the art teachers, creative work by students and volunteer efforts to run the busy events. In briefer terms, it’s a lot of stress, but luckily, it’s becoming easier.
“This year, it’s been so much better,” 3D design teacher Ms. Ferrell said. “(Mrs. Butler) did all the displays and brought things out for us. In years past, we’ve had to get a bunch of student volunteers to tag everything.”
Fortunately, the extra hands streamlined the process and took weight off students’ shoulders.
This year’s renewed efficiency, due to help from gallery assistant Mrs. Butler, enabled art teachers to set up a wide spread of artwork for students to purchase. In addition to the traditional bowls and mugs, the ceramics class created uniquely shaped “catch-all trays” in different textures and colorful glazes, as well as sculptures and vases. One could see the artist’s unique touch on every piece, taking in the spread as a sort of student gallery even without buying anything.
“It makes me wonder why they made it a certain way, or why it’s specifically a color (…) because it gives a certain feeling,” LAHS sophomore Rachel Chavez said. Chavez, like many shoppers, was searching for holiday gifts for her mom. Chavez appreciates the sale not just for its convenience and low prices, but also because its handmade pieces show hard work and commitment from the community.
LAHS art students also appreciate the opportunity to share their creations and enjoy knowing that they’ll find a useful place in their peers’ homes.
“What’s most important is showing the value of work and the beauty of making things by hand. With our plates, you get to use them and show the creativity and beauty of it,” ceramics student Emily Williams said. For many artists, exposing LAHS students to these hands-on art forms is also in hopes of inspiring them to give them a try.
“I think people should join ceramics to open up their minds and see what creations they can make,” Williams said. With registration for next year’s classes around the corner, it’s something to consider.
3D design students, leading the jewelry half of the sale, also exposed underclassmen to a new elective choice. The table glimmered in the sun with rings in many sizes, colorful enamel and wire jewelry; patterned brass bracelets and silver ornaments ready for Christmastime. It’s evident that LAHS artists have a lot to offer the student body, yet it seems as though shoppers had something to offer the art program as well.
“For the most part, (the money earned) goes to the things the students need to run the class,” Ms. Ferrell said. “I have a bunch of specialty tools in the $20-$50 category, so I end up buying tools like that that we use for semesters ongoing.”
For both participating art classes, the money they earn is crucial to keep their programs afloat and students’ creative juices flowing, especially in the time of teacher “wish lists” for school supplies. The art gallery, which lacks an exclusive funding source, will also benefit from the proceeds and help LAHS artists create bigger and better showcases for all to enjoy. With this new money in the art program, what’s next on the horizon?
“This year, we’re talking about doing a 2D (art) sale in the spring, so that might be prints of photographs, definitely digital artwork, possibly card designs and things like that,” Ms. Ferrell said.
If all goes well, this event could be one to watch for. With the attention the ceramics and jewelry sale receives from art-loving Griffins, it’s likely to be a hit!
