Written by LaShawn Oglesby, College Life Editor

To those who aren’t sleep, ceramics is therapeutic and it has been shown to help calm the nerves. Ceramics is an ancient—yet still socially acceptable—and awesome way to get together with your friends and create some stress-relieving art. Recently, Masayasu Iizuka, who is a world renowned Japanese potter and ceramic artist, decided to bless our campus with a couple sessions of ceramics. Iizuka was born in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Mr. Masayasu graduated from Loma Linda University with his BA in art in 1975, and then he went on to get his masters in ceramics from California State University in Long Beach in 1981. He is a master at the graffito technique where intricate designs are etched and carved into ceramic surfaces.

Mr. Iizuka recently spent two days in the Fine Arts building demonstrating traditional throwing techniques that included plates, small vase forms and additionally an intricate teapot. He explained that through a mixture of storytelling and his various teaching establishments, he has created his own way of expression through the use of ceramics.

He talked about his 40 years of experience in the art of pottery making and talked about the deep passion he has for the art of ceramics. In just this short visit, he has touched a whole array of people with his techniques. It was a very humbling experience for him to share his passion of arts and crafts with the students and faculty who attended the demonstrations. And hopefully, he has inspired many to go out and explore the art of ceramics on their own.