As the school year comes close to its end ceramics students are working hard on their three-week-long chip and salsa bowl projects. 

“The goal is to build something that is both functional and creative,” ceramics teacher Fred Rodriguez said. “I like finishing the year with something fun and one last project that students can use at home. We will also have an end-of-year celebration and will use these platters to hold our salsa and chips.”

Creating a bowl designed after a well-known flower, senior Annika Roberts took her inspiration from spring.

“My design for my chip and salsa bowl is a large sunflower bowl whose petals curve to hold the chips and then a smaller bowl in the center of the flower to hold the salsa,” Roberts said. “I was kind of inspired by the coming of spring and the blooming flowers.”

One of the challenges with the project for Roberts was creating and crafting a design that will not break. 

“I’ve been super frustrated because my petals keep falling off,” she said. “It’s a really fragile structure and I’m not super technically advanced so it’s been a struggle just getting the biggest pieces to stay together.”

Making two bowls, senior Varda Khan had some difficulties with the pottery wheel. 

“The wheel takes a lot of practice. I have tried making my bowl on the wheel several times and it ended up getting ruined every time,” Khan said. “It can be very frustrating sometimes!”

After days spent designing and forming their bowls, it was time to put the finishing touches on their work. 

“Glazing is my favorite part of most projects,” Roberts said. “I feel like that’s when you get to see your vision come to life.”