Oh, Baby

Hamilton, Ohio – The Fitton Center has a history with babies.

A giant blue one coming out of an egg on Monument Avenue garnered the most attention. The late, lamented Hatched Baby sculpture spent the better part of a year here starting in late summer, 2015.

A decade later, another artistic bundle of joy arrives soon.

The new baby is neither giant nor blue, but he is a very personal creation.

Sculptor Sheree Murphy has a BFA from Miami University. She and her husband Doug are regulars in the Fitton Center pottery studios. Sheree’s current project is a clay version of their grandson, Luke, who turns a year old in this month.

The finished sculpture will be a gift for his parents, her son and daughter-in-law.

There is some internal family debate as to where sculpture will end up upon completion, but Sheree designed it to be part of water feature. Luke holds a fish – reminiscent of a cherub riding a fish in a Renaissance-style Vitalius fountain - with an open mouth waiting for water to pour forth.

“It’s been a real joy creating it for my son’s family,” Murphy said. “I know they will cherish it as they do their amazing son Luke.”

The Fitton Center offers several different pottery and ceramics classes for the upcoming Summer II education session.

Youth Pottery (ages 6-9) starts July 8. Pre-Teen Pottery (ages 10-13) starts July 10. Teen Pottery (ages 13-17) starts July 9. Classes for ages 18 and up include afternoon and evening sections of Wheel Throwing Basics starting July 7, Afternoon Pottery Studio and Functional Pottery - both starting July 8 - and Intermediate Wheel Throwing starting July 10.

Please visit the education tab on our website for full course descriptions and registration.

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.

Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture