Mr. Webb

I started to make my first figure in my free period without Mr. Webb’s permission. I wanted it to be perfect before I could show him what I thought could be my own new project. Of course when I brought this up to him, I was nervous he would say I had to stick to his lesson plan, but he agreed to my idea without hesitation.

Although I have only known Mr. Webb for the four years I have spent at GBS, he has been one of the most influential people I have ever met. He has truly given me one of the best opportunities this school could offer, and that is to be myself and have the freedom to do what I really want in ceramics. He gave me the confidence to own my beliefs and reflect them on my art, whether they were controversial or not. I was encouraged to express myself in the realest way I could, seeing the side of me that not many others had. 

Knowing he is one of my biggest supporters, I have the utmost respect for Mr. Webb. He has lived, and continues to live, one of the most interesting lives that only begs me to question more about it. Through the numerous stories he has shared with me, I have only become more inspired to really find my passion, even if everyone around me believes it’s too risky.

Through this curiosity, I ended up interviewing Mr. Webb about the beginning of his ceramics career. Although I had heard many stories from his childhood, I had never really asked Mr. Webb about his experiences in the beginning compared to his experiences now, and I’m really glad I finally did.

I hope that one day I can end up doing something unexpected. Something no one thought I would or could do, something even I wouldn’t be able to think of now. Mr. Webb was told not to do ceramics, but he was determined, and I hope that I’ll have the chance to prove people wrong as well.