Four years ago, Hart and his mom enrolled in an introductory pottery class at Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago. What started as a fun activity to enjoy together has evolved into a full-blown hobby for Hart—and a home filled with handcrafted animals.

“I like to do hand building, and I’ve been doing a good job,” said Hart, describing a pottery method that involves shaping clay using only your hands and simple tools.

Hart’s collection includes a litter of kittens, a parliament of owls, a small herd of elephants and a family of zebras. He has also created bowls, several decorative wells, and a square mug, and all on display inside the JCFS-supported community integrated living home where he lives in West Rogers Park. 

“I like to create different stuff,” Hart said. “It helps me calm down and relax.”

Through pottery, Hart has also gained more confidence and independence. 

“He really feels comfortable there,” said Hart’s mom, Lydia. “Everybody knows him and he knows what to do.” 

When Lydia was unavailable to accompany Hart to some lessons, she told the instructor she would send someone in her place. The instructor, visiting artist Aaron Eskridge, encouraged Hart to participate on his own. 

Hart takes public transportation to and from class, carefully transporting his ceramic pieces home after they have been fired in the kiln.

“Hart comes into class with ideas and tasks that he’s ready to work on during class time,” Aaron said. “He definitely knows how to use his time efficiently and also make an abundance of work that he can leave with.”

Aaron said Hart quickly learned a lot of technical skills and has been able to use those techniques in his work. 

“He also knows how to ask for help or ask questions if he’s curious, which I believe is also his strong suit,” Aaron said.

Aaron’s visiting role as a teacher at Lillstreet has ended, but he encourages Hart to continue creating.

“The advice I would give Hart is to just keep doing what he’s doing,” he said. “He has good work and he enjoys using his hands to create things, and I hope that he continues to do so through ceramics and everything else he ends up doing.”