|
Potter Finds Life in His Hands
by Michael Costello
"Dang, I forgot to fire the bottom," exclaimed senior Dwayne Parton as he inspected yet another piece that had just emerged from the inferno of the kiln. Then, a little smile came over his face as he saw that the whole came out well.
Parton has spent his four years at Mars Hill College studying and majoring in art. He came to the Hill freshman year to play soccer, but, "I wasn't that good," he says, "So I just stuck around because I felt like this is where God put me." He began not really knowing what to expect or what he wanted to do with his studies - until sophomore year, when he discovered a very unique skill, pottery. "I like to make things," he says.
Parton makes functional art. "That is anything you can use," he says. The pieces range from mugs to leaning towers of Pisa.
Not much thought is required, he says. "I just think about making the stuff, and it just happens." His favorite part of the process is throwing. That is where a person takes a piece of clay, makes it into a ball, puts it on a potter's wheel and starts to work.
But he loves the whole process, and as there are several more steps to a finished product, including bisque fire, glazing, and then glazing fire, usually it takes a week or even two to make a finished piece of pottery.
Parton's mastery of this art comes not just from himself. "This is an expression of what God is doing in my life," he will say. He responds to calls and has been known to get the winter-weary faithful together on a snowy day and hold a service, singing and playing his guitar in worship to the God he loves.
He finds ministry in his art as well, feeling the call of the Bible, especially Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
His aim at Mars Hill College is "To put (college) work before recreation and to be my best even if my work isn't accepted. I missed out on this my first three years of college. This year I want to live this and work extremely hard."
Parton is known in the pottery studio for his unique and emotional pieces.
To relate his audience to his work, he uses man-like figurines, placing them in strange positions: holding up a pot, falling into it, or even weeping inside one. "They represent emotion and feeling, daily fear and worries," he says. In extreme cases, he contorts the work to make it almost seem like it is melting or deformed by some tragic situation.
"Sometimes I just like to make people."
His work will be on display for his senior show before the end of the semester.
Apart from art, Parton loves snowboarding, playing guitar and being with his girlfriend. He goes around campus in a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans, often on a skateboard.
Reader comment:
Leslie White - Freshman, 3/22/2006, 3:38:42 p.m. - This is an awesome article Mike! Dwayne is such a cool dude. It's awesome to see someone using his talent to glorify the God who gave it to him. =) By the way Dwayne if you read this, that first piece on this article is amazing. Although, I guess I shouldn't be surprised considering how many times Miley has told me you do everything perfect. haha =P. but yes, great article Mike. Keep writing for the Lord.
Give us your feedback. We value your opinions.
The Hilltop reserves the right not to post anonymous comments or any that could be judged slanderous, that make unverifiable allegations of fact, or use language we consider in bad taste.
All fields must be filled in.
HOME
| 
