Through studio practice and research, students acquire a thorough knowledge of ceramics and establish a firm technical base in various processes and materials pertaining to the ceramics field. Students learn to create persuasive, original work in clay and develop a personal voice through the medium. Historical and contemporary ceramics are introduced to create a context for study. The program stresses both the technical and aesthetic aspects of the medium, and the conceptual and expressive growth of each student is central. Students have the opportunity to study and develop both traditional and experimental forms and to apply a wide range of three-dimensional decorative and conceptual approaches.
Every year the Ceramics program takes students to the NCECA conference (National Council for Education in the Ceramic Arts).
Within the Art and Art History Program, students have the opportunity to be a part of art organizations. Within the Ceramics program, the Ceramic Art Guild is open to all students in the Program.
Senior Studios can be acquired by application and are for advanced students enrolled in at least one credit hour of upper level courses in the Art and Art History Program to work on their creative research safely and independently.
One of the most successful programs we have is the Post Undergraduate Assistantship. Senior graduating students can apply for a Post Undergraduate Assistantship for the year following graduation.
For the B.A. in Studio Art & B.F.A. in Studio Art major requirements, visit the Undergraduate Major. For Minor requirements, visit Minors in Art.
Kait Arndt
Visiting Assistant Professor, Ceramics
2410. Ceramics I. 3. Introduces ideas about ceramic form through various handbuilding construction techniques. Emphasizes design and conceptual development. Includes glaze application, surface decoration and kiln operation.
2420. Ceramics II. 3. Introduces ideas about ceramic form through wheel-throwing techniques. Emphasizes design and conceptual development. Includes glaze testing, glaze application, surface decoration and kiln operation. (Normally offered fall and spring semester)
2430. Combined Clay Methods. 3. A basic course in ceramics designed to introduce handbuilding and wheel throwing in one semester. The emphasis will be on developing an understanding of basic clay forming methods; developing surface treatments including slip, glaze and stains with an emphasis on low fire techniques, and understanding electric kiln firing and operation.
3410. Advanced Ceramics III/I. 3. Studies development of ceramic form through multiple construction methods. Problems are designed to develop fluidity and versatility in the different processes introduced in the beginning class. Glaze exploration and development are introduced. Emphasizes design, conceptual development, and professional practices. Prerequisites: completion of Foundation Core, ART 2000, ART 2410, ART 2420 and consent of instructor based on portfolio review. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)
3420. Advanced Ceramics III/II. 3. A second semester continuation of the development of ceramic form through multiple construction methods. Problems are designed to develop fluidity and versatility in the different processes introduced in the beginning classes. Glaze exploration and development are introduced. Emphasizes design, conceptual development, and professional practices. Prerequisites: completion of Foundation Core, ART 2000, 2410, 2420, and consent of instructor based on portfolio review. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)
4410. Ceramics IV/I. 3. Studies and develops traditional and experimental forms. Applies wide range of three-dimensional decorative and conceptual approaches. Continuation of technical and glaze research and professional practices. Introduces kiln operation. Given studio problems accompany individually directed exploration. Prerequisite:ART 2000, 3320, 3410, and consent of instructor based on portfolio review. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)
4420. Ceramics IV/II. 3. A second semester continuation of the development of traditional and experimental forms. Applies wide range of three-dimensional formal and conceptual approaches. Continuation of technical and glaze research. Introduces kiln operation. Given studio problems accompany individual directed exploration. Prerequisites: ART 2000, 3320, 3410, and consent of instructor based on portfolio review. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)
4430. Lo-Tech Ceramics. 3. Explores elementary forming, decorating and firing processes developed by various pottery cultures. Examines basic geology, clay prospecting, kiln design and construction. Includes historical overview and contemporary work survey. Dual listed with ART 5430. Prerequisites: ART 2000 and 12 hours of humanities/GED/USP. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)
5430. Lo-Tech Ceramics. 3. Exploration of elementary forming, decorating, firing processes developed by various pottery cultures. Examination of basic geology, clay prospecting, kiln design and construction. Includes historical overview and contemporary survey. Dual listed with ART 4430. Prerequisite: 12 hours of humanities/GED/USP.
