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People of all ages came to
pyromania in Girard
Park on April 5 and 6.
 This
fire-inspired event drew a wide variety of artists from all over the country.
On-lookers stared in amazement as they watched O’Dell’s gentle hands twist and
turn a gray lump of clay into a vase fit for a dozen roses. Later he astonished
them as he rubbed burning newspapers on a clay pot to bring out the iridescent
crackle finish.
Don Ellis explained to an observer that he prefers sculpting over glazing
because the clay is still “alive”. Once he takes the clay out the oven it can
no longer change form.
A curious crowd flocked to Dufour’s station in a pavilion behind the pottery
tent to see how to blow and sculpt glass. Though some of his works-in-progress
shattered on the ground, he showed no discouragement.
Prior to the event, LAMA
blacksmithing signed on 5-8 people to learn its skill and began training during
the event. Charles L. Goulas looks forward to the event every year because he
enjoys meeting people.
“We always have a good time despite the weather” Goulas said.
Goulas said the artists like to trade their work and participate in
make-n-take a ctivities.
“We like to play too” Goulas said.
Not only children enjoyed the various
make-n-take activities. Some parents
joined their children in making clay figures, glass beads, and jewelry casts.
“This is so cool” Yvette Lorentz,
parent, said.
Despite Saturday’s rain and Sunday’s
sporadic surges of wind wiping out the tents, the event was an overall success.
The Vermilion, University of Louisiana at Lafayette's
student newspaper |