Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Los Gatos High School art students Nick Pucci, a junior, and Shantelle Robinson, a senior, show two of their ceramic pieces on display at the Los Gatos Meadows Gallery.

Student art on exhibit at the Meadows

By Deanna Wulff

Los Gatos High School ceramics teacher Ralph Aguayo admires the intricate clay pot made by a former student.

The light-beige container features a brown Aztec design on its lip and might be sold in an art shop for $60. Its creator was Quentin Barter, one of Aguayo's best students.

"You would be amazed at what these kids can do," Aguayo said. "Many of them go on to the finest art schools."

Through Nov. 5, the work of Los Gatos High School students is being displayed at the Los Gatos Meadows Gallery. The show includes pottery, oil paintings and scratch board, which is black ink on white paper that is etched away to create a picture.

The instigators of these art designs are Aguayo and colleague Scott Downs, who have taught together at LGHS for 11 years.

Downs teaches art and design, and Aguayo teaches ceramics. They both began teaching because they wanted to remain artists and work with kids.

"You can teach and feel good about what you do," Downs said. "As a commercial artist, you don't really get to create for yourself. You kind of sell your soul to who you work for."

Downs earned a teaching credential and a degree in applied art from San Diego State; Aguayo earned a degree in ceramics from UC-Santa Cruz and a teaching credential from San Jose State University.

Downs pursued art because a teacher at West Valley College taught him to believe in himself and in his talents. "She was a retired nun and very inspirational," Downs said.

While studying art under her direction, he also played football. "It was an interesting dichotomy," he said. "You don't see too many artists and football players together."

In additional to art instruction, Downs helps coach the LGHS football team.

Aguayo is strictly a ceramics teacher, but he keeps plenty busy. "He is a kid magnet," Downs said.

One year, Aguayo taught seven ceramics classes a day. "That was a little much, and I had to cut back," Aguayo said. "I couldn't spend enough time with the kids, and there wasn't enough room."

Although it can't quite accommodate seven classes, or about 200 students' ceramic work, Los Gatos High School has an unusually large ceramic center. "It is amazing that we have three kilns and 20 wheels," Aguayo said. "We have a big building and big equipment." Most high schools combine art and ceramics into one class and only have one kiln.

Downs also wishes he could spend more time with his students. "You give 30 students one problem, and you get 30 different answers," Downs said. "We really need to spend time with them."

Los Gatos Meadows Gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 110 Wood Road. 354-1211.