by Leslie Renken

Most of the people who participate in the ceramics class at B’nai B’rith Apartments in Peoria don’t consider themselves artistic, so it’s been a pleasant surprise for many of them to find out how creative they really are.

“I love it,” said Barb Long, 81, as she applied glaze to a multi-colored vase at the senior apartment complex recently. “I can’t wait to get through with this piece to get to the next one.”

Long’s daughters were so impressed with a piece their mother made they fought over it while visiting on Mother’s Day, Long said.

“I gave it to one daughter and told the other one that I’ll make another one for you,” she said.

The once-a-week class is held in the community room at the facility. About eight residents participate regularly, and another resident, Ann Wilson, 77, teaches…more.