Each year Field students have the opportunity to test their ceramics skills in a fun and friendly competition; The Great Pottery Throwdown. Ceramics teacher and Field alum Jack McDermott ’08 started the annual tradition in 2024, drawing inspiration from the British Great Pottery Throwdown series on HBO. “I was looking for something to help build community in the studio and just have a little fun during the busy spring semester,” Jack shared.
The event consists of multiple rounds, resembling a March Madness bracket. Each round has several challenges, with varying degrees of difficulty such as throwing blindfolded, speed throwing, and one-handed throwing. “I try to make the challenges more interesting/wacky each year, so that we don't get bored doing the same thing,” Jack said.
While the challenges are meant to be fun and albeit, are a little unconventional in the world of ceramics, Jack says they help students build important foundational skills. “In reality, throwing is more fluid and adaptable than just following steps. I like to think that by having students encounter different throwing challenges it helps them problem-solve, adapt, and be more flexible with how they throw the clay.”
After multiple rounds of intense competition, Isabelle ’26 and Natalie ’26 went head-to-head for the championship title, with Natalie winning the whole thing. She added her name to the official Great Pottery Showdown ceramic vase.
Jack says he hopes to see this event continue to grow, however, seeing the excitement build each year is very encouraging. “My favorite part is when students invite their friends, both ceramics students and non-ceramics students, to come cheer them on and watch.”
