Jason Walker began as a traditional potter, making functional art. He is now a prominent clay etching artist, and will showcase his craft today and tomorrow in Kadema Hall room 103.

Scott Parady, assistant professor of ceramics, said that Walker is being brought in to teach ceramics students how to etch and paint images on clay pieces

“He’s really known for his work’s imagery,” Parady said. “He combines things from nature with mechanical and industrial images. The advance students are working with imagery right now, painting and etching on clay. What Jason does, he’s one of the best, so it’s good for him to come and work with students.”

Walker is hosting a two-day workshop. Today’s workshop, attended by art professors and students alike, focused on throwing porcelain clay on wheels to create cups, and molding pieces of clay into shapes, such as a squirrel. Attendees were encouraged to get up, walk around, observe, and ask questions. While Walker would normally not create cups or throw his pottery on wheels, opting instead to free-hand his work, for the purpose of the demonstration, he made both and brought pre-made cups.

Walker, who normally creates his work free-hand, used wheels to throw cups for the demonstration. He also made and brought pre-made cups.

“I was trained as a functional potter,” Walker said. “But the last bunch of years, I got tired of throwing. Never thought I’d not want to throw. My ideas were getting away from the functional realm? There were ideas that no longer pertained to functional work, so I just kind of followed that.”

Julie Yang, senior photography major, attended the first day’s workshop to get ideas.

“I’ve never seen this before,” Yang said. “It’s my first year taking ceramics classes, and it’s interesting seeing the different ways of making clay art, throwing on a wheel, doing free hand.”

Walker only spoke on the painting aspect of his art, saving it for his workshop tomorrow. He gave a small tidbit while pushing out the inside of a cup.

“I didn’t want my art to feel like stickers,” Walker said. “I want to give a little bit of dimensionality to the drawing.”

Walker will be hosting the second part of the workshop tomorrow from 8-11 a.m. and from 1-5 p.m., showing how to etch and paint on clay. The workshop will end with a lecture lasting until 5:30 p.m. Students and professors are welcome to attend the workshop, held in Kadema Hall, room 103.

Cole Mayer can be reached at [email protected]