Adults with developmental disabilities find fulfillment in pottery program

Members of Programs for Exceptional People gathered Thursday for pottery class, rolling and pounding balls of clay into sheets that would later go over a mold. They'll add a design, fire it in the kiln and then paint on a glaze. Over the next several classes, each of the six members will have created their own piece.

PEP, a nonprofit organization that hosts programs and services for adults with developmental disabilities in southern Beaufort County, instituted the class for a variety of reasons to help its members. The process of creating pottery can help with sensory skills and concentration, boost creativity and improve hand-eye coordination.In addition, it also might make the members some money.

Once the members have created a cache of bowals and other pottery, PEP administrators will start looking to place them in local stores to sell them to the general public. The money PEP gets in return will help replenish its stock of clay and materials.

And, the members will get to decide what to do with any leftover cash. They could use it to buy more supplies, hold a party or split it evenly among themselves.

"The members are getting a great sense of fulfillment with the program, and, possibly, a means to make money," said executive director Harold Watson.

Part of the goal of PEP is to promote employment and independent living among its members. Down the hall from the pottery class Thursday at the PEP offices on Hilton Head Island other members stuffed envelopes containing a newsletter for a private community.

"It's important for us to show that adults with special needs can contribute to the community," Watson said.

PEP received a grant from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to buy startup supplies for the pottery class and hire a part-time teacher, Wanda Eastham, who was a professional potter for 35 years. She comes to teach the two-hour class twice a week.

Administrators choose PEP members for the program based on their previous interest and inclination toward art.

PEP member Nicole Swetz was examining leaves Thursday that she planned to press into her clay to form a pattern on her bowl. The chance at making some money was still a ways off. For the time being, she was just excited to be a potter.

"I'm having a blast," she said.