As a pillar of the Williston Arts program, Siga Pouye is sculpting quite a future for herself and inspiring both teachers and students through her work in ceramics.
Since joining the Williston Arts program in her sophomore year, Siga has dedicated an immense amount of work to improving her craft in the ceramics studio.
Siga, a senior from Western Mass., but currently lives in Boston. Her work with ceramics began six years ago when she quit all other afternoon programs and her mom was desperate to find something to fill her time. She started taking classes at Northampton Pottery every Tuesday after school, and through these classes, she was able to learn the basics of pottery as well as experiment with skills and techniques of her own.
Wendy Staples, Visual and Performing Arts teacher, describes Siga’s work ethic as unmatched.
“She goes above and beyond,” Staples explained. Siga currently takes AP Art and is a part of the Arts Intensive afternoon program. On top of this, she comes in during her frees, before or after Arts Intensive, and at night during study hall. “She spends two and a half to six hours in here daily,” Staples said.
Being so involved in different aspects of the Arts Program allows Siga and her work to have a large impact on many other members of the Williston community.
Dire Adeosun, a current three-year senior, participated in Arts Intensive with Siga last winter.
“Going into arts intensive I was still very new to ceramics,” Dire said. “Siga’s work inspired me to work extremely hard because everything she created was so beautiful.”
Many other students taking ceramics for the first time this year have become inspired just by seeing Siga’s work in the studio.
“This trimester I took ceramics for the first time at Williston,” senior Trip Bradbury said. “Many days I would get to class and see multiple shelves of Siga’s work. I really enjoyed getting a chance to look at all her projects. When I had free time in class, I tried to make similar items, although they never turned out as well.”
This past summer, Siga recently took a pottery class for the first time in three years.
“I haven’t had instruction [outside of Williston] in a really long time,” Siga explained. “It was really cool, I got to learn how to throw new shapes. We mainly focused on making a ceramic pumpkin.”
Siga has worked diligently to bring these new skills to the Williston community. During Art Intensive this fall she inspired everyone to go outside of their comfort zone, to try things they normally would not, and to develop new skills.
“Kids are in awe of her talent. They pick up on her work ethic. They understand if they put in that time they will also be that good,” Staples said. “Her skills rubbed off on May Nguyen, Ha Zhou, and Lauren Yee. Siga opened up a door of possibility for everyone by showing them her work.”
A word that repeatedly came up in describing Siga was hardworking. Many explained that she is able to set the vibe of the studio to be a place where everyone can be serious and get work done.
Siga, repeatedly described as “hardworking,” explained that she draws on her background for inspiration. She added chains to some of her pieces that were featured in Williston’s Fall Arts Walk on November 14. Additionally, some of her pieces focused on environmental sustainability.
“The chains came in as a way for me to explore self-identity as a symbol of race in America,” Siga explained. “I wasn’t trying to shout at people through my work, but more so tried to do it for myself.”
As the year progresses, Siga plans to continue her work with ceramics and dive deeper into finding her self-identity through her artwork. Looking forward to college she plans to attend a school where she can study both business and art.