Teddy Gets Us STOKEd
 | Author:
Dee Gannon, MT43 News Correspondent
MT43 News Correspondent |
Teddy Gets Us STOKEd
Dee Gannon
MT43 News Correspondent
Teddy Lewis has been the facilitator of the Pottery Guild since its local inception. In those few years, since 2021, he has been the cheerleader for S.T.O.K.E. (Science, Technology, Outdoors, Knowledge, and Entrepreneurship).
Three years ago, STOKE got a grant for the skatepark on Walnut and D Streets at Holloway Park. That skate park has been visited by many skaters, skateboarders and bicycle enthusiasts of all ages.
Teddy Lewis relates that the Pottery Guild has been blessed by grants to receive 6 pottery wheels, hundreds of pounds of potter’s clay, and so much more. He says that the six adults (who pay $60/month) pay for all those students who cannot pay fees for clay, instruction and kiln time.
“There are 60 students a day who want to show their creativity, along with their own life experiences who peel back the layers to show who they are or strive to be.”
The Guild is in conjunction to the After-School Program; for those kids whose parents may not get home from work until evening and need a safe spot to be.
That’s what Lewis strives for, he shares their mission: to have a safe place to channel creativity, where students have a real Voice to communicate to others what they are feeling. He says that it’s important to let the kids know that there is no right or wrong in art. It’s whatever that child feels is right for them.
When the younger students begin their work in clay; may it be sculpting or ‘throwing’ (what it is called when you use a wheel), they begin with Play-Doh, just to practice.
Fundraisers include the Empty Bowls Project: selling a hand-crafted bowl to receive chili, soup and rolls for an allotted price ($10-$20). Lewis said that this is a great fundraiser, which all proceeds go right to the Broadwater Food Pantry.
Lewis wants to make sure that everyone realizes that, “It’s the kids, there is no ‘me’ or anyone else. We are only here to encourage that the kids have come to their own. There will be no best of whomever they are destined to be. We do not want to be a fence to creativity…only a bridge.”
Lewis has spoken to some of the businesses in town, hoping to be able to display and sell some of the student’s art. They only need a small shelf; this promotes the ‘E’ in STOKE, Entrepreneurship.
Lewis said he thanks everyone who has helped to make this such a special undertaking. He specifically thanks Superintendent Susie Hedalen; who has supported this kind of extracurricular activity.
Lewis and some volunteers will be giving demonstrations during the Christmas Stroll, on December 2; outside of the Bird’s Nest on Pine, from 4-7 pm.
If you would like to know more of the Pottery Guild’s lessons or presentations, contact Teddy Lewis, at 406- 439-9345. You’ll never know what all he can do for you, unless you ask. He takes Thursdays and Sundays off; but can be found either at the Pottery Guild at 108 N. Spruce (next to the laundromat) or at the number given.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Dee Gannon
Image 1 Caption: Pottery from the Pottery Guild
Photo Credits: Dee Gannon
