Through the Viewfinder: Woman gained valuable experience in year at Natchez Pottery

Published 12:01 am Thursday, July 12, 2018

 

NATCHEZ — After working the past year as resident artist at Natchez Pottery, Sarah-Anne Winchester said she is planning to move back to Georgia.

“I met a lot of people and had a lot of experience teaching and learning how to make classes,” Winchester said.

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Her time at Natchez Pottery gave her more teaching experience, Winchester said, where she taught adult and children’s pottery classes with Patricia Gaude.

Winchester said teaching children is all about the children’s personalities.

“There are some 5-year-olds who create amazing work,” Winchester said. “It’s about getting them to understand that they don’t have to make exactly what I’m making. They can be creative and put their own spin on it.”

Winchester said she plans to go back to Georgia at the end of this month and take some more business classes. Eventually, Winchester said, she would like to open up her own studio where she can teach and sell artwork.

Looking back, Winchester said some of the memories that stand out for her were the parades — Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day — because she had always wondered what people in small towns did for fun.

“I’ve never lived in a town this small,” Winchester said. “That was one of the things I was really curious about, what people did for fun and just how close-knit the community is. It’s a special place, and it has really good people. If you have any interest in art, they are more than welcoming to teach you anything.”