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June 25. 2009 6:00AM

Local youth learned about the history and the art of pottery in a one-hour session at the Brandon Community Library last week.

View photo gallery of kids participating in the program.


The Friday program, part of the Siouxland Libraries’ summer program offerings, drew 21 participants. The kids learned to make a clay pinch pot or whatever their creative minds could dream up. Each of the participants were able to take their clay creation home that day as well.

Presented with a one-pound glob of clay, the 21 young potters created bowls, a coffee cup, an assortment of animals and even the “Lynx” spelled out in two-inch high letters.

“It’s messy, but it’s going to be worth it,” commented Kaleb Baker, 7, of Brandon, as he molded the bowl together with his two hands and a popsicle stick.

Kiesha Dykstra, the youth services assistant, said the Brandon program was the seventh clay pinch pot class she’d taught at the Sioux Falls and surrounding Siouxland Libraries.

“It’s (workshop) been really popular all week, there’s been a lot of interest to it,” Dykstra said.

In the seven workshops, Dykstra saw all sorts of creations, including snowmen to pots “to things with lids on them,” she said.

Summer programs continue at the Brandon Library. Upcoming events include:

• June 26: An Ostrich Named Emu, 10:15 a.m., Brandon Elementary carpet gym.

• July 10: Discovery Mime Theatre, 10:15 a.m., Brandon Elementary carpet gym.

• July 17: Puppet show – The Library Circus, 10:15 a.m., Brandon Elementary carpet gym.

• July 24: Workshop – scarf marionettes, 2 p.m., Brandon Library.

• July 31: Trickster and the Troll, 10:15 a.m., Brandon Elementary Library.

For more information on the summer library programs, contact the Brandon Library at 582-2390.