Ceramics: Processes and Practices

3 units

This course is a spectrum of ceramic processes using clay, plaster, and glazes to understand and explore techniques of making. Use clay to learn hand-building processes such as soft slab and hard slab, coil building, and hollow-out method to explore material differences of making forms. Glaze properties and chemistry will lightly be explored to understand the different stages of clay to ceramic and the firing processes in oxidation and reduction. Emphasis will be placed on mold-making for exploring repetition, scale, and balance with units to comprehend structure and multiples of building components in clay. Discussion and presentations will focus on the history and traditions of ceramics, contrasted with contemporary making in clay. Each student's skill level will be considered and projects will be adjusted accordingly. Emphasis will be placed on critical assessment and articulation of material.