Fiske’s Room 213 stands out as a hub of creativity populated by dozens of vases, bowls, and sculptures, as well as an array of students who all share a love for ceramics.
At any given moment, there’s a senior working on a piece for AP Art working alongside a freshman who just wandered in and found a chunk of clay to sculpt with.
No matter who they are, Upper School art teacher Annie Webster welcomes them. Webster has taught ceramics at Chadwick for 41 years, turning the ceramics studio into her home away from home.
Webster’s connection to ceramics started when she was just nine years old. That summer, she joined the Rustic Canyon Arts Club, where she first learned basic techniques for molding clay. Each morning, she’d spend three hours cultivating this small passion, which blossomed in high school.
Webster eventually purchased her own throwing wheel in her junior year and continued gaining artistic experience in college. She earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramic arts at Long Beach State University.
“My body of work keeps evolving, and then it also keeps circling back to certain themes,” Webster said of her art. “I really love intricate surface design. That was a huge impetus when I was in college.”
On top of her expertise and passion for ceramics, Webster has an unwavering dedication to her students. A key part of ceramics at Chadwick is how Webster pushes her students to take their creative freedom as far as they can, even if the ideas are unconventional.
“She’s really helped me take risks in my work,” says AP 3D Art & Design student Sienna Stanley ’26. “The big thing that we always talk about in the ceramics studio is just trying new things on your pieces and not being scared to mess something up.”
The growth and confidence students gain in ceramics is one of Webster’s favorite parts of teaching.
“I enjoy seeing kids light up when they have a sense of accomplishment. It’s something they’ve created themselves,” Webster said. “I think [teachers] in the arts are some of the only teachers that can watch a student grow from a ninth grader to a twelfth grader and teach them for four years. It’s pretty remarkable, and it’s a nice thing to see their growth.”
Through encouraging risks and growth, Webster has made her classroom a space of comfort and relaxation for her students. These students are of all skill levels and ages, with some even being faculty.
Math teacher Stefanie Kawasaki spent some of her free time last year in a Ceramics 2 class. Even as someone new to art, Kawasaki found the class engaging and relaxing.
“[Webster] provides a very inclusive environment, is very welcoming and knowledgeable about ceramics, and is willing to share that with anyone, even a teacher that’s never done [ceramics] before. That space provided a source of joy for me last year.”
Students are encouraged to explore their unique and personal interests, which were all put on display last Friday, Dec. 12, at the Winter Art Show in the MacFarlane Family Courtyard.
Liberty Figueroa ’26, a Ceramics 4 Honors student, displayed pieces rooted in her identity, culture, and physical appearance at the show. Throughout the building process, Figueroa leaned on her class to develop her ideas.
“Everyone’s pretty supportive, and they’re open to giving you feedback. I also like that we can see everybody’s pieces on the wall in the cubbies because it just shows the variety of things that you can do. Everyone kind of has their own vibe going.”
In teaching ceramics, Webster has fostered a community that cares about each other, about creative freedom, and about artistic expression. She has learned how to push others’ boundaries while also making sure they have a safe and secure home in her studio.
As Kawasaki put it: “She has so much experience as a teacher, as someone who’s been at Chadwick, and she’s just such a valuable person in this community.”
