A second choice on a course registration card turned out to be the starting point of a new-found talent for one Clayton Valley artist. 

 Senior Vanessa DiTullio, a member of the Clayton Arts Academy, wrote down ceramics as her second choice for her art requirement. 

For once, the school’s scheduling problems had a positive outcome.

 “I got it this year by accident,” she said, explaining that her specialty for CAA is visual art and not sculpture.  

 Even though it was an accident and it was her first year taking the class, she brought a lot of talent from her other art classes. 

 “Vanessa came to me with ability,” ceramics teacher Jennifer Moore said. “I think what makes her good with clay is her ability to draw well. She’s really good with proportions.” 

One of her best works is a bust of her Staffordshire Terrier, Sammy, which was made out of a type of clay called raku sculpture mix. 

In addition to being a good sculptor, many think she is a great friend. 

 “[Vanessa] is a really good artist,” senior Brian Davis said. “She’s been one of my really good friends for four years.” 

“She’s very random and she makes really good jokes,” senior Allison Brown said. “She likes animals a lot.” 

In addition to clay, DiTullio said she likes to work with chicken wire for sculpting and charcoal for drawing. She even sells charcoal portraits of pets as a way to earn extra money on the side. 

“She’s so good with animals,” art teacher Michele Birkenshaw said. “She’s able to capture them with the right personalities.”  

According to Davis and Brown, DiTullio is considering pursuing a career as either a veterinarian, an artist or a baker.