Fired up about pottery

Parents and children got their hands wet, sticky and painted Thursday at Luther Elementary School's second family "Pottery Night" for kindergartners.

Harold Romano, the Live Oak school's kindergarten teacher for 18 years, was granted funds last year from the school's principal, Marjorie Jones.

"She said there was money available for a fine arts program, and I had already been making ceramic pots in class for 15 years," Romano said while darting from table to table in the cafeteria, filling paint cups and rolling clay balls.

"So I wanted to expose the kids to fine arts and have the parents and children have an enjoyable experience together in a school setting."

Meliah Eller sat next her mom, Michelle, and painted her pinch pot with several coats of blue glaze. Michelle Eller crafted a pitcher out of her clay and glanced at her daughter's creation.

"I think that's enough paint, honey," she said with a smile. "You need to let that dry a little bit."

The Ellers sat with fellow kindergartner Melissa Chapa and her mom, Marla, while Melissa painted and examined her pot intently before choosing to paint it yellow with blue trim.

"This is a really good turnout, but we started planning about two months ago," Romano said.

About 100 people filled the small cafeteria, divided into 12 tables. Along with parents, Romano said, siblings also were invited.

The students put their names on their creations, and Romano will fire them in an on-site kiln and hand them out at the school's March 29 open house.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Kymm Mann can be reached at 749-4707 or kmann@appeal-democrat.com.