Inspired by their senior thesis project which involved creating one hand-made ceramic hand every day for twelve weeks, Lu applied for a grant to lead workshops to teach their peers how to build these hands.

They were awarded the grant in April 2024 and worked with UC Berkeley’s Senior Ceramics Mechanician, Ehren Tool, to plan and lead these workshops.

Ehren, one of Lu’s artistic mentors, is an accomplished artist who is best known for having made over 25,000 cups and led countless cup-decorating workshops. He is a veteran and his art practice is guided by an urge to bring communities of veterans together to foster relationships between veterans who have undergone similarly traumatic experiences.