A recent pottery workshop in Kanab produced ceramic flowers designed to provide pollinators with safe watering spots, according to a August 26 report.
Rural Opportunities for Arts (ROAR) partnered with the Kane County Active Living Centers and the Kane County Center for the Arts to host the free three-week workshop at the Kanab Senior Center.
Led by local artist Bianca Cole, the Hands in Clay workshop allowed participants to move through various stages of the pottery-making process. Students rolled, shaped, and designed clay flowers before painting them. Cole then fired the pieces in her kiln, including a bisque firing to harden the clay.
Each participant created several ceramic flowers intended for use in gardens. These shallow flowers are designed to add color to landscapes while serving a practical purpose for bees and other pollinators. Unlike deeper birdbaths or watering dishes that can pose a drowning risk, these shallow sources provide a safer alternative for pollinators to land and drink during hot, dry weather.
The workshop provided a social component where participants gathered during the final week to share finished work and discuss what they had learned. ROAR, a Kanab-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funded the program and stated the workshop was popular. Organizers expressed hope to offer the workshop again in the future.
