Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics (B.F.A.): 126 hours
Ceramics students develop their individual expressive voice in clay while establishing familiarity and confidence with ceramic materials and techniques. Through innovative assignments, students study a history of the medium while they secure a technical foundation in hand-built and wheel-thrown processes, glaze calculation, clay formulation, and multiple finishing and firing techniques. The newly constructed Ceramics Studio is a comprehensive facility in which students can work both sculpturally and functionally. Traditional gas, wood, salt, and raku kilns along with an experimental kiln yard offer unique firing opportunities that further enhance student experiences in the BFSDoA ceramics program.
An on-site photography studio and research center further students’ portfolio preparation and research in the discipline. Opportunities in the student organization Club Mud provide career skills for the ceramic artist in sales, commissions, public workshops and involvement in professional organizations such as the National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts.
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Courses Offered in the Ceramics Concentration:
ART 1230 Ceramics I
An introduction to clay and the various techniques, including pinching, coil construction, slab building, architectural relief, wheel throwing, and firing.
ART 2230 Ceramics II
Intermediate exploration in selected technical areas of ceramics and firing. Students will explore glaze problems, firing techniques and aesthetics. Emphasis will be on historical and aesthetic concern dealing with the form.
Prerequisite: ART 1230
ART 3230 Ceramics III
Advanced exploration into clay forms including surfaces and various firing techniques. Students develop a vocabulary of visual work supported by research in the history of ceramics.
Prerequisite: ART 2230.
ART 4230 Kiln Building
The history, design, and construction of ceramic kilns. Students will design and construct a variety of kilns used throughout the history of ceramics. Includes the study of how fuels interact with the structure to achieve desired design results.
Prerequisite: ART 2230.
ART 4231 Glaze Calculation
Introduction to the development of clay bodies and glazes. Students will utilize specific glaze and ceramic formulas for desired technical and aesthetic results. Traditional glazes will be contrasted with experimental approaches.
Prerequisite: ART 3230.
ART 4290 Problems in Ceramics
Intensive individual research in a specific area of ceramics.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.
ART 4731 Senior Ceramics Exhibition
The student will develop an exhibition of ceramic work documented by way of photographic slides. The student will be expected to produce a resume and an artist's statement.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.
Faculty:
Jane Pleak