Junior Laura Wade has turned her love for clay into a hobby. She said, “I became interested in ceramics simply because I like playing with clay, and making art helps me relax.”

Although Wade creates varies forms of artwork, she has a couple favorite styles. “I love making coil pots because I like to make them as smooth as a pot made on the wheel would be, which takes a lot of precision and patience,” she said.

She added, “I also like making ceramic animals. I made a really cool elephant recently and it was in the Rockwood District Art Show as well as the Novus International Art Walk, which is an art exhibit that my dad’s company holds. You submit your art for the show, and then people can bid on art pieces to buy.”

Over the years, Wade has taken various classes to better her understanding of the art form.

“I learned a lot from art camps over the years, and I took Ceramics 1 freshman year,” Wade said. She is also a member of Mud Club, Lafayette’s pottery club.

Although some may view clay as nothing more than a slab of mud, Wade views the medium as her main creative outlet.

She said, “It’s extremely rewarding when you can take a slab of clay and transform it into something.”