Paintbrush in hand, Jennifer Rong ‘25 creates a flower design on a plate. Wrong created multiple pieces at the event. “I wanted to come to the fundraiser because it’s a really fun club and it’s a really good way to destress after a long week,” Rong said.
Holding onto his mug, Jason Nguyen ‘25 adds finishing touches. Members were able to choose between mugs, plates, bowls, and Valentine-themed hearts.
Looking over some glaze options, club sponsor Cari Washburn and historian Caelyn Swendner ’24 discuss how the pieces will turn out. The club offered many options including Jungle Gems glazes which contain small crystals that burst in the kiln making intricate patterns. “We wanted to make sure we picked glazes people would be happy with and were easy to work with,” Swendner said. “I think it went really well and people were pleased with their pieces.”
Laser-focused, Lilybeth Dooley ‘25 adds small details to her bowl. She chose this design because she wanted to do something that represented spring. “The fundraiser seemed like a great opportunity to spend time with friends while also supporting the art community here at Westwood,” Dooley said.
In conversation, students and faculty interact while custom glazing their Valentine’s pieces. All of the money each customer spent at the fundraiser went straight to the Westwood art department.
After weeks of preparation, Ceramics Club hosted their first fundraiser in sponsor Ms. Cari Washburn’s room on Friday, Feb. 9. Selling various ceramic pieces like mugs, plates, bowls, and conversation hearts, the event allowed customers to purchase a blank piece and glaze it themselves with materials provided by the club.
“It was important for us to have this fundraiser because it helped our team work together and learn how to manage events like these,” Ceramics Club President Mariangel Madueno ‘24 said. “It also helped our art department be recognized by more people.”
The club spent weeks beforehand prepping the room and ceramic pieces to be ready for the event.
“We worked hard on the preparations for this fundraiser; we decorated the room to be on theme for Valentines and we rolled out tons of [clay] slabs to make our handmade heart trays and conversation hearts,” Madueno said.
The team made over a hundred handmade items to be sold. In addition to the physical work, they also found ways to advertise the event so they could reach more people.
“We went to 8th grade night and talked to people there about the event,” Ceramics Club Treasurer Reece Markle ‘25 said. “We also set up in the atrium after school for two days and handed out fliers and made a post on our Instagram account.”
Many art-loving students attended the event to support the club and create some pieces in time for Valentine’s Day.
“I came today because I thought this was a really cute idea for people to get to paint their own [pieces] and just sit with people, gossip and get along and come together,” Ceramics Club member Jason Nguyen ‘25 said. “I also just love art, I do a lot of art in my free time or when I’m stressed.”
The fundraiser was very successful, bringing in over 60 people and raising money for the art department, which needs the funds to afford supplies.
“I think the fundraiser went well and we sold a lot of stuff. It was also pretty fun,” Ceramics Club Secretary Rima Vudutalapally ’25 said.
![In their full runway outfits, (from left) Audrey Lee 25, Olivia Lucy Teets, 25, Fashion Design teacher Ms. Judy Chance, and Xueying Lili Yang pose for a photo. All three girls made it to Austin Fashion Week by getting in the top 10 in a previous runway show held by Shop LC.
[I like my students] creativity and how they can look at a fabric and make it their own, Ms. Chance said.](https://westwoodhorizon.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9686-e1714088765730-1129x1200.jpeg)
