IU sign language class moves from classroom to pottery store

The Latest Glaze, a local pottery store, took a break from the hustle and bustle of children’s birthday parties and greek get-togethers Wednesday when it organized IU’s A300: American Sign Language IV class.

Instead of verbally describing what pieces were desired, what colors were to be used and what painting technique would be most appropriate, the students ‘signed’ what
they wanted.

Seniors Abby Dickman and Kara Mouzin, the two students in charge of teaching their class,  signed through the pottery vocabulary list they made with their fellow classmates.

“We’ve never really had any experience with sign language outside of the classroom until this semester,” Mouzin said.

The Latest Glaze allowed the class to practice its signing in a public setting.
“It allowed us to use ASL out in public, while we were surrounded by many hearing and speaking people,” Mouzin said.

Putting students into an environment where they could potentially meet a deaf person was one of the goals their instructor Mike Jackson said he was trying to achieve.
Jackson is an American Sign Language lecturer in the IU Speech and Hearing
Sciences Department.

The class learned a specific vocabulary list that pertained to pottery and The Latest Glaze.

Jackson said it was Dickmans and Mouzin’s responsibility to come up with vocabulary related to The Latest Glaze, which they taught their class.

“For our class, it put us in a real world situation where we could learn more about deaf culture and the language,” junior Samantha Fisher said.

Latest Glaze owner Bill Benedict has been enjoying the IU student population at his pottery studio located at 1301 S. College Mall Road since it opened 11 years ago.

“Our goal is to provide a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere where everyone can be creative,” Benedict said.

The Latest Glaze is a laid back environment with the relaxing feel of jazz music and a set up resembling a coffee shop, but without the coffee.

“The environment is stress free,” said senior Abby Dickman. “Everyone is just enjoying their time painting their own piece, which is very relaxing.”

Benedict prepared for the class by putting together two long, wooden tables while lining water bowls and cans of different sizes with paintbrushes down the middle.
He turned on his usual XM radio station, which features jazz music, and was set to watch the creativity flow.

“I’ve met a lot of students that thought they weren’t creative and then when they come back to pick up their final piece, they end up proud of their work,” Benedict said.

IU students may be the heart of The Latest Glaze’s clientele, but Benedict said he has witnessed residents from Mitchell, Ind., and Terre Haute paint away in his store.
Fisher said he thinks more student organizations can benefit from orchestrating events in his business.

“The Latest Glaze will leave students and non-students with a feeling of satisfaction,” Fisher said.  “They will have a piece of artwork they can call their own and keep for as long as they like.”