Park University’s ceramics classes are unlike what many students are used to on campus.

If you know your way around Park, this class is in the concessions building right next to the soccer field. A hidden gem, it’s the Narnia closet of this campus.

Before all the pottery-crazed students within a mile radius of Parkville turn rampant at this statement, the unknown Narnia wardrobe in literature is a pivotal diamond of the story. As students in this class might argue, this is very much like the class itself.

Ceramics 1, taught by Jamie Slone, adjunct instructor, is only offered in the spring and this is only the second time offered since she has been working for the university.

The class works more with low-temperature firing, whereas Ceramics 2 is more midrange, with a higher temperature work as well as what’s called throwing on the wheel.

“There are a lot of different details with this class,” Slone said “Ceramics is very vast. There’s a lot that goes into it. There’s different firing and different glazes. The chemistry in glazes is unbelievable.

“If some students wanted to know more about the chemistry aspect of it I could go into that with them too.”

Any major is welcome to sign up and take the course, according to Slone.

The class this spring has students with majors varying from criminal justice to English majors with their only similarity being they were curious about ceramics.

“Sometimes it’s nice to have students that don’t have art as their major,” Slone said. “It means they aren’t just here because it’s a requirement, they genuinely want to learn.”

Madison Butler, an interdisciplinary studies major, is one of those students this semester.

“I took ceramics in high school,” Butler said.

“I had a lot of fun.  Right now I’m doing the first project and it’s something I’ve always sucked at. It’s a challenge but a fun kind of challenge. Still, you really have to be invested.”

While Slone walked around her classroom offering subtle suggestions, the classroom dynamic is casual and creativity focused.

“It’s a pretty relaxed classroom,” Slone said. “Sometimes when things aren’t drying well or something they have to take a step back and maybe listen to music or walk away for a while and then come back.”