Stories from Rising Stars: A Healing Community

Rising Stars Paulina Portero and Eric Albert find joy and their center at Clay Art Center.

For many members of the Clay Art Center community, ceramics class is a place where they can express their creativity, enjoy socializing with their fellow students, and find their center. For some participants in Rising Stars, their clay journey has been one of healing and joy.

For Paulina Portero, the artist behind the regal piggy bank entitled Gimme the Ham!, practicing pottery has been a dream since childhood. The whimsy of the piece was inspired by her young nephew, Leo, for whom it was made as a gift. “I wanted to create a piggy bank for him, but it couldn’t just be any old piggy bank—it had to have personality. This pig needed swag! That’s where the tilted crown came in. This piggy knows he’s going places.” Paulina made the piece in Jeff Dean’s class, where she learned to throw closed forms. Her best tip for embarking on a project like Gimme the Ham!? “Keep the rim thicker while closing: it gives you more control and helps prevent the form from collapsing.”

When asked what participating in Rising Stars meant to her, Paulina shared how important finding joy in ceramics and support at Clay Art Center has been for her: “Ironically, January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in February 2023. After surgery and a clean bill of health, I struggled to find my center. Despite being surrounded by family and friends, I felt lost and alone. As an artist since childhood, I had always wanted to try pottery. I first heard about CAC at Best of Westchester in 2017 and finally signed up for a class in Fall 2023. From the first session with Evelyn Mitika, I was hooked. Participating in Rising Stars fills me with joy, but more than that, being part of this community has helped me rediscover my center.”

Many folks come to Clay Art Center searching for that center and support. In partnership with Cancer Support Community Greater NY & CT at Gilda's Club, Clay Art Center hosts a weekly class called Clay Expressions for those impacted by cancer. Students have the opportunity to explore the therapeutic qualities of clay while meditating and sharing their experiences with others. Some students in the Clay Expressions class submitted work to be exhibited in Rising Stars, including Eric Albert. His handbuilt cup Cheers! is his first entry into a Rising Stars exhibition; “What a wonderful experience!” was his reaction to seeing it on display with other works from his classmates.

You can view Paulina and Eric’s work in Rising Stars through February 15th, 2025. If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about the Cancer Support Community Greater NY & CT at Gilda’s Club and the Clay Expressions class, please visit the Cancer Support Community’s website here.