Today I went to a clay sculpting class at the Johnson museum where I made a mug. More than just fun, I found the activity highly therapeutic. The workshop leader instructed us to continuously hurl down our balls of clay onto the table. The loud SMACK the clay made as it hit the table felt so stress and anger releasing. After a long week of studying and worrying about prelims, it was a nice change of pace to use another part of my brain and spend time relaxing and creating. The workshop leader also explained to us the origin of two clay mugs on display in the museum. I came to the Johnson only a couple of weeks ago with one of my friends who visited Cornell from home and we admired these same mugs then. It was wonderful to see them again, this time with new information about the artist and her techniques.

As a self-identified horrible artist, it was nice to go out of my comfort zone and attempt to create as nice of a mug as possible. The result was not the most beautiful creation ever, but it is always gratifying to be able to own things that you have made yourself. I am happy I got to take time out of a full day of studying to mindlessly create in a comfortable, fun space.