Ceramics
en·shrine
Ann Judy, Instructor
verb
1. place (a revered or precious object) in an appropriate receptacle.
"relics are enshrined under altars"
Most people think of a shrine as a place people visit because it is connected with someone or something that is important to them. In most cases, a shrine is devoted to a religious person or relic. A shrine can be a highly decorated frame that encloses revered objects behind an altar and offerings of gratitude and devotion are placed before it, similar to Dia de Los Muertos Shrines honoring the deceased. But there can be personal shrines devoted to someone or something that is significant in an individual's life too. Personal shrines can explore themes of everyday life, aspects of identity and share important features of an individual’s story. Students were asked to discuss what kind of people/places or things could be worthy of a shrine. Can a shrine convey an ordinary life? Do they always need to portray spiritual events? What could they think of to enshrine? What kind of objects might symbolize importance? What honorary item is the shrine being built for? The students then created a wall hung ceramic sculpture representing a shrine dedicated to that favorite person, place, thing, or event, one that has added depth and meaning to the students’ story. They added words to increase meaning of the piece. As always, I am touched, amused and amazed by the depth and breadth of their responses.