Handmade pottery by local teen artist, Sam Thein. 

A note from Sam: My name is Sam Thein and I am 18 years old. I am a freshmen at St. John's University. 

Before starting pottery, I played sports, and spent most of my time on the football field or basketball court. Coincidentally, as I started my sophomore year in high school, I happened to take a pottery class, tore a ligament in my knee, had surgery, and was temporarily unable to continue playing sports.

My inability to play sports allowed me to put all my focus and energy into my pottery class. I went to school excited every day and started to constantly think about how I could challenge myself in pottery class. When I was not in class, I would either be watching pottery videos on my phone, or be thinking of what I would try to make next. I stayed after school almost every day to do pottery.

After about a month, I was able to make functional mugs, bowls, and plates, then I moved on to more complicated vase forms. I loved the challenge, and over and over I would surprise myself and my classmates. I followed a pattern of setting a goal, mastering it, and moving onto bigger challenges. Soon I was creating quality pottery.

 

I am member at the White Bear Center for the Arts and have a pottery wheel at my house. I work in the SJU/CSB studio almost every day and hope to someday teach pottery to others. I am currently working toward a degree in art and ceramics.

https://www.samtheinpottery.com/gallery