Course Descriptions

Mini Units

These will be 1-2 day lessons taught intermittently during other units.
  • Ceramics Technical Knowledge
  • Studio Maintenance and Safety
  • Glazing and Decoration Techniques
  • Reviews for Midterms and Finals

Ceramics Beg. Units

  1. Who I Am
  2. Texture Box
  3. Glazing and Decoration
  4. Coil Series
  5. Paper Form Project
  6. Ceramic Mask
  7. 3D Tile
  8. Bowl
  9. Cup
  10. Final Project Choice Board

Ceramics IPA Units

  1. ​Who I Am
  2. Contrast Container
  3. Glaze and Decoration
  4. Coil Series
  5. Large Slab Project
  6. Ceramic Mask
  7. 3D Tile Mural
  8. Nesting Bowls
  9. Cup Series
  10. Final Project Choice Board

Advanced Section

After the Who I Am unit, you are welcome to follow along with the IP units or develop a personal art investigation series. 
  1. Submit Series Proposal
  2. Submit weekly progress documentation with annotations.
  3. Produce minimum of 1 finished piece every 4 weeks.
  4. Create a final Art Statement
Note: order and units may change throughout the year to better meet needs of classes and students. Content will be linked above as it is finalized. Check the Class Blog to keep up with what is due when.

Unit 1: Who I Am​

Project Description: create a French Fold Booklet and a Spark Video to show what makes you, well you!
Objective: share some things about your self, demonstrate current art-skill level and creativity, learn how to navigate and submit assignments on Canvas. 
​Goals: get to know each other better, practice submitting assignments, and understand what to expect from the class. 
Materials: Paper, pencil, ink beyond that you're welcome to use any art supplies you have access to. If you want to challenge yourself only use paper and ink.
*submit progress images and/or notes to Daily Work assignment on Canvas by end of class; after 11:49 pm they will be marked late.
Unit Time Line
Day 1: introduce project and start on moquette*
Day 2: Compete Moquette and start on Project*
Day 3: Complete Project start Spark Video* Presentation
Day 4: Upload Images and video of project to the "Who I Am Formal" Canvas Assignment by end of class.

Cup Unit

Cup Project 1

Beginning and Intermediate: Make 1 footed cup with a handle.
​
Proficient and Advanced: Make Set of 3, footed cups with a handles. Goal is uniformity (practicing manufacturing the same cups)

1. Create a diagram that shows the anatomy of a cup.
2. Then watch the videos below to get an idea of the different ways to make a cup. (hint, change the speed they play at if you want to get through them faster)
​3. Make your cup!
Notes before starting:
  1. You don't have to have all the cool tools these people have to make cup- just be creative with what you have! 
  2. work slabs with a plastic bag under them so they don't stick to your surface. 
  3. NEVER pick up greenware by the lip or handle- THEY WILL BREAK IF YOU DO. instead pick up using 2 hands on outside of the project. This increases the surface area and spreads out the force so you're putting less pressure on your cup.
  4. PICK UP GREENEWAR WITH EXTREME CAUTION- see number 3.

Cup Project 2- Designing YOUR Cup

Project Requirements

Beginning and Intermediate build 1 (will grade best one, plus you'll have a backup in case one breaks)
Proficient-Advanced: build a set of 3 (will grade best 2, but you'll want backups incase they break) ​
Goal: Design and build YOUR cup. 
Objective: understand and apply design process to create a footed cup with a handle that's something more than just a simple cylinder with a loop for a handle.

Understanding Design Process

Cup 1 was following Type 1, the process driven process. You focused on just following the basic skills needed for making a cup. Cup 2 will follow Type 2, and focus product driven and is going to be focused on really thinking about the design of your cup and how best to set yourself up for success.

Step 1: Plan of Action
​(Pre-project stuff)

DUE: 11/23 & 11/24
​Watch the Creative Process video and complete the Designing MY Cup Worksheet (we'll spend 2 class periods on the worksheet).
(print out or re-create on your own paper- just label what is what so I know what I'm looking at when it's being grading) 

Zentangle Project
Goals
  • Set up a space/plan to work with clay 
  • Learn the Basics of working with Clay
  • Creating a Strong Composition
Requirements: Create a tile that has...
  • a strong composition
  • incorporates Zentangle inspired patterns
  • coiling, pinching, and Slipping/Scoring.
  • Tile should be ~1/4 inch thick-can hollow out from the back if parts of it get really thick
  • ~8.5 x 11 inches
The buttons and video will help you with this project- take notes and turn them in with the Weekly Progress Images Assignment in Canvas

Art and Class Supplies Information

Here is a list of supplies you need to get:
  • Paper (lined and printer paper)
  • Pens and pencils
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
Here are the supplies in your Art Kit:
  • Cone 5 clay (25lbs)
  • Clay Tool Kit: small sponge, wire tool, needle tool, potters thumb, metal rib, rubber rib.
  • Colored Pencils
  • Drawing Paper
Here is a list of other supplies you will want too:
  • Red= added 8/13
  • Plastic Bags (sopping bags- without holes int them!, 5-7 gallon garbage bags, zip-lock bags
  • access to a surface that can get wet and a little messy (I'll share some ideas for protecting tables 1st day of classes).
  • Clothing you don't mind getting dirty/stained- the clay will not stain clothing but once we're back on campus some of the other supplies we use will definitely stain if it gets on your clothing.
  • an apron and/or old towel
  • Large Sponge -the kind used for doing tile work, they're cheep and can pick up at hardware stores. I have some in class I can give out but would be better if you can get your own for working with this year. I'll show you what they look like the first day of class.
  • Lotion - clay will dry out your skin
  • A ~1 gallon container for water - nothing fancy, I usually just use old yogurt containers.
  • If you want to check out any of the specialty tools we have at school that you don't have in your kit let me know. My personal favorite is the crescent tool. You're also welcome to purchase your own and can usually get them Carolina Clay Connection or any online art supplier as well.