#potsonwheels

Welcome! My name is Chloe and I’m a senior at Smith, graduating this January! I’m a Government and Spanish double major, and this summer I’m interviewing potential Smith applicants and working on projects for the Office of Admission. I’m starting this blog later than I had planned, in part because I’ve been so wrapped up in everything I’m learning and enjoying in and out of the office that I haven’t had time to write. Anyhow...

Northampton is a WONDERFUL place to be in the summer! There are over seventy “eateries”  that are essentially at your fingertips (more on that next time), and the weather has been nearly perfect. I’m living off campus (during the year I live in Northrop house on Elm Street), and everyday when I walk to work I see the same people doing the same summery, routine things: a tall father made taller with a little one on his shoulders as they head somewhere (presumably to preschool), a dog/boy pair who are wake up with breakfast and a book in their front yard every morning, even the same woman running up College Lane as I take my last right into the office. When I told my adviser that I would be here this summer, he compared spending a summer at Smith to having the keys to a country club. I agree - so many beautiful gardens, events, books, etc.and the time to enjoy them!

So far this summer, though, one of my favorite events has been the June Arts Night Out.  Every second Friday in Northampton, all year round, arty spots and some other businesses open new features (and their doors) to the community, and people go out and enjoy the art/downtown. Smith Art Museum always has something going on, but I’ve always loved to get downtown and off campus.

A few weeks ago - Arts Night Out featured  Pots on Wheels - a mobile community pottery project. They had a wheel where many people (even little kids who couldn’t touch the pedal) could throw a piece to be used at a future event. In another section, community members (you!) could paint slip onto a piece, let it dry, and then etch a design into it. After all that, you deliver your etched piece to the POW truck to be dried and fired, and you get to select a piece that others created to take home! It was such a fun way to start the weekend!

Cheers,