Photo: Jeni O’Brien
Jeni O’Brien discovered her love for clay in 2021 when she started taking clay classes at White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA). She decided to give it a try, “… because I was struggling to see the value in the physical therapy and hand strengthening exercises that my neurologist prescribed for my rare, degenerative, neuromuscular disease,” O’Brien says.
With more classes, she grew as an artist, throwing pottery on the wheel and handbuilding with clay. “As I learned how to wedge clay, I was also learning that in addition to physical therapy, I was receiving therapy for my soul,” O’Brien says. Her ceramic work, including delicate clay luminaries and whimsical acorn ornaments, is now for sale at WBCA’s Ann Tousley Luther Art Shop, and O’Brien has started teaching classes at the art center, beginning with a clay luminary class this past winter.
Ellie Fuelling is the communications manager at WBCA. Learn more about classes, programs and events at whitebeararts.org.
