Get to Know HFC: Centurium Frost uses clay as a “love letter to Detroit”

It was through a “happy accident” that HFC employee Centurium Frost discovered clay.

“I had to take (HFC Faculty Chair of Fine and Performing Arts) Steve Glazer‘s ceramics class to graduate,” he recalled, laughing.

Glazer’s class introduced Frost to the pottery wheel and the glazing process, which captivated his imagination.

“I was hooked. You could take a lump of clay and make something tangible. That instant gratification appealed to the Millennial side of me,” said Frost, laughing. “With the glazing process, it’s that anticipation of seeing the final product. It’s exhilarating to see if you achieved the desired result. Sometimes, it comes out better than expected! The element of surprise is always there. If not, you re-fire it and try again.”

Enjoys developing his ceramics skills and interacting with students

Born in Detroit, Frost, the youngest of three, lives in Redford Township. An alumnus of the Advanced Technology Academy at Lawrence Technology University in Southfield, Frost started out at the College for Creative Studies but transferred to HFC (then Henry Ford Community College), where he earned his associate degree in studio art. Returning to CCS, he earned his bachelor’s degree in illustration.

“HFC really prepared me for CCS. I should have gone to HFC first because it would’ve been a smoother transition from a high school to college expectations,” he said. “I like the diversity of HFC. I grew up around diversity, so I’m comfortable being around it on campus.”

Frost has practiced martial arts for more than 25 years. He is a second-degree blackbelt in Tae Kwan Do, a first-degree blackbelt in Hapkido, and a first-degree blackbelt in Muay Thai. Frost learned martial arts at the Institute of Martial Arts in Detroit, where he has also taught.

Since 2011, Frost has been a non-instructional lab technician in the ceramics studio, reporting to Glazer. His duties include managing studio operations, loading and unloading the kilns, mixing clay and glazes, and assisting students in the studio.

“I enjoy being able to consistently be involved in clay and get better at it. I also enjoy interacting with students and being able to help them develop their own personal skills,” said Frost. “Steve is a proponent of the arts. He wants his students to succeed in art if that’s what they truly desire. I am living proof of that. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if not for Steve.”

“My pottery is a love-letter to Detroit”

“Centurium is always willing to do anything we need here at the studio. Because he’s much younger than me, he’s the muscle of the group,” said Glazer, laughing. “I’m really proud of the name he’s made for himself in the Metro Detroit area as a potter and his work here at HFC. I’m very impressed by his accomplishments.”

Frost has created functional items, such as mugs and dinner plates, with a Detroit theme. He sculpted FOX 2 coffee mugs for anchors Deena Centofanti, Roop Raj, Charlie Langton, Ryan Ermanni, Derek Kevra, and Lee Thomas. A double-wall vase Frost sculpted was seen in the background of FOX 2’s The Nine from 2014-18. His artwork has been showcased in the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

Frost has also produced mugs for the rapper Common and Detroit Red Wings great Darren McCarty. He crafted 175 mugs for VIP season ticket-holders of the Detroit Pistons.

“Detroit is my brand. Detroit is my passion,” said Frost. “My pottery is a love-letter to Detroit.”