OBJECTIVES
Ceramics I explores the expressive power of clay as a visual language. The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with basic concepts and technical processes that inform traditional and contemporary ceramic work. Lectures, demonstrations and group discussions will introduce various issues and concerns of contemporary art. Students will be encouraged to begin to develop a personal creative voice, through the fundamental techniques and vocabulary of clay, hand building, throwing and combined process, slipworking, glazing and firing methods. Assigned projects, technical demonstrations, reading, slide lectures and group critiques and discussions will assist critical understanding and personal growth better preparing the student for further study in the ceramic medium.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Students are required to complete all assignments, participate in scheduled critiques and class discussions, and maintain safe operation of the studio. Students are expected to attend every class on time, fully prepared for each day’s work and clean the studio before the end of each class. You are expected to work in the studio for several hours each week in addition to scheduled class times. Open studio hours will be announced.

If you have a disability, please inform me of your special needs as soon as possible to ensure that those needs are met in a timely manner.

GRADING
Grading is based on completion of course requirements and the quality of individual technical and critical development, personal commitment and ability to work in a community studio setting. Personal commitment involves regular attendance, consistent effort, completion of work and participation in group critiques and discussions, and the general willingness to try.

SUGGESTED TEXT
Ceramics, Glynn Nelson
Ceramics: Mastering the Craft, Richard Zakin
The Craft and Art of Clay, Susan Peterson
Clay and Glazes for the Potter, Daniel Rhodes

SUPPLIES
Clay
Ceramic tool kit
Sumi Brush
Small bucket
Plastic bags
Sketch book
Clean up sponge
Towel

CALENDAR and ASSIGNMENTS

WEEK 1: Intro to course, Wedging and pinch pot demos.
ASSIGNMENT 1: 1 pinch pot (any size or shape)

WEEK 2: Lecture and Hand building demo.
ASSIGNMENT 2: 1 large coil built object with plans. (at least 18" in one direction)

WEEK 3: Raku and Glaze demo.
WORK

WEEK 4: Throwing and trimming demos.
ASSIGNMENT 3: 3 Thrown and Trimmed forms. (any size or shape)

WEEK 5: Cylinder and Bowl demo.
ASSIGNMENT 4: 1 Thrown cylinder. (H-8")
ASSIGNMENT 5: 1 Thrown bowl. (D-8")

WEEK 6: Glazing demo.

WEEK 7: Hand building demo.
ASSIGNMENT 6: 1 large slab built object. (at least 12" in one direction)

WEEK 8: MIDTERM CRITIQUE.

FALL BREAK, NO CLASS THURS.

WEEK 9: Cups with and without handles demo.
ASSIGNMENT 7: 5 Matching cups with handles, 3 Non-matching without handles.

WEEK 10: Covered jar demo.
ASSIGNMENT 8: 2 Covered jars. (1 Thrown and 1 Hand built)

WEEK 11: WORK

WEEK 12: WORK

WEEK 13: LAST WET CLAY WEEK 14: Glaze and LAST BISQUE.

WEEK 15: Glaze and LAST GLAZE FIRING.

WEEK 16: FINAL CRITIQUE.