Ms. Catrina Wilson was inspired to do art in high school and had a great high school teacher that taught her a lot. She adds that going to art class was her favorite part of the day. Wilson graduated from Fort Hays State University with an emphasis in ceramics and obtained a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University with an emphasis in ceramics as well. She has resided in Beloit for eight years, so it was ideal for her to teach art to junior high and high school students.

Her biggest inspiration would be her grandmother. She would sit down with a notepad and a pen and write down everything you shared with her and give you her full, undivided attention. Along with that, she was very welcoming and encouraging. Wilson loves working with clay and she has a brand new kiln. She has already started clay projects with her advanced students and so far is loving the process of sharing knowledge with her students. 

Wilson comes from teaching elementary students, so it has been an adjustment teaching older students. She says that with older students, you get to do more complicated processes, so you slow down and get to pay more attention to details rather than with younger students. Since she is an art teacher, she encourages everyone to decide what it is you enjoy about art and see how it fits in your life. It could be a big part of your life or a small part of your life, but just make sure you find room for it and see how it grows and changes throughout your life.