The vases look heavy.
One would expect a certain amount of heft when lifting the metallic-sheen earthenware, but they are almost feather light.
It's a feat of artistry and skill that leaves some of potter David Stuart's students in awe of their teacher and his work at Wild Hare Pottery.
Art student Phil Smith, who takes classes at Stuart's studio and gallery, said he often picks up Stuart's creations a little too hard.
The weight of the vessel is determined by the thickness of the clay. The skill in creating light pieces comes in shaping thin walls without the clay's caving in, Smith said.
Stuart's skills are the result of nearly 40 years of creating pottery. He said he became enthralled with pottery while attending Louisiana State University, which he graduated from in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in art. In 1974, he graduated from the University of Georgia with a master's degree in ceramics.
Afterward, he moved to Aiken and taught at Rose Hill Art Center while traveling to show and sell his art.
He has traveled all over the East showing his work.
In 1995, he moved to North Augusta and opened Wild Hare Pottery on Georgia Avenue as a studio and gallery.
He still takes his work to art shows, such as the Artisan's Fair at Living History Park in April, but usually he travels for only an hour or two.
"Now I just do ones I can get to (easily)," he said.
The gallery is a display of his own creations, which are for sale. Stuart said he also does pieces on commission.
Stuart said he enjoys working with clay because finishing a piece requires a variety of artistic skills, such as sculpting and painting.
"The nice thing about working with clay is that it covers a lot of other media," he said. "It's a very inclusive medium."
Stuart enjoys teaching his craft to anyone who is willing to learn. During the school year, he is the art teacher at Stevens Creek Elementary School.
Each Tuesday evening, he teaches community classes for adults at the studio. Stuart walks through the basics with students new to pottery while more experienced students, such as Smith, can work independently, asking for guidance as needed.
"I see myself as the person that enables them to produce the ideas they want to produce," Stuart said.
His students said they enjoy the class.
"He's a good teacher, as is everybody that's good at what they do," Smith said.
A new class will begin near the end of August. Classes are $115 plus materials. For more information about the class or the artwork, call Stuart at (803) 279-7813.
Reach Lisa Kaylor at lisa.kaylor@northaugustatoday.com.
