Molding Rhythm and RISE: Natalie Gustafson, Live Wheel Throwing Demonstration

Natalie Gustafson is a Biology student at CCP with an interest in and talent for art. During Rhythm and RISE, she will be joining another student, Sofia Shapiro, on the pottery wheel, demonstrating live wheel throwing for guests to enjoy.

"I was really excited about that because I love wheel throwing,” Natalie said about being asked to participate in the June 9 event. “It's like one of my actual passions is creating things. So it's going to be really exciting to be there and be part of that.”

Natalie is grateful to be able to explore all of her passions at CCP. Before enrolling at the College, Natalie was working in a customer service role, which worked well for her at the time, but wasn’t what she wanted longer term. “I realized that I wanted to pursue things that mattered a lot more to me,” she said. “So, I decided to go back to school. And as a Philadelphia resident, CCP seemed like a great option.”

And so far, CCP has given Natalie many opportunities to learn and grow. “CCP has prepared me a lot through mentorship [with] professors. I really value the teaching staff here,” she said. “I feel like they are very collaborative and they truly want you to succeed. And I feel like I've really found my path through talking with them.” Natalie would like to pursue a job in sustainability or habitat conservation. “I'd really love to work in an organization that works in a park or something adjacent to that,” she said. Her focus is on preserving green spaces in urban environments like Philadelphia.

One of her favorite things about CCP is that the institution is so invested in building and maintaining community. “One of the reasons I really like going to CCP is that it is community based and you actually engage with your community,” she said. “And CCP really supports its students, but also its workers and its professors.”

Natalie is looking forward to being a part of our 60^th anniversary celebration. “Rhythm and RISE is a celebration of everything that's good about CCP and the talent from the students and the opportunities that can be presented to them,” she said. “And I'm really happy that we can show that. There is a lot of opportunity and a lot of talent, talented people here.”

CCP is proud to be able to highlight students and their hard work during this monumental event. If you are interested in attending, you can learn more about it and purchase a ticket here. The event supports students through the Dr. Alycia Marshall Seventh President’s Fund.