Mark Presher ñMaster Potter

11th graders Cathy Lapp and Kris Laurie try their hand at the potter's wheel with assistance from Artist in Residence Mark Presher.

MAY 6, 2002 - High school students in Mrs. Paula Sherwood's & Mrs. Beth Parrish's art classes recently enjoyed the unique opportunity of having Le Roy potter, Mark Presher, spend the week in the art room. Mr. Presher is a Master Potter at Genesee Country Museum and the Renaissance Festival in Sterling. He also owns Earthentiquites producing pottery from his home studio.

To learn about the Historical background of pottery in our area, the students took a trip to the LeRoy House where they saw a collection of Morganville Pottery.

Mr. Presher worked individually with each student on the potter's wheel. Faculty members were also invited to try their hand at throwing pots on the wheel. Using views from Le Roy High School as their inspiration, students designed and created individual clay tiles. Plans are to use these artistic visions in the new high school. This will be a way to preserve Le Roy Central School's past for future generations.

This Artist in Residence Program was made possible by a grant which Mrs. Parrish was able to secure from the Genesee Region Teacher's Center. The P.T.S.O. also had a part in making this enjoyable and rewarding art experience possible for the Jr. & Sr. High Art Department.

The students' clay creations can be seen at Le Roy's Annual Art Exhibit scheduled for May 21st & 22nd in the High School Gymnasium.