Ceramics - Certificate
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With instruction in forming techniques, glaze technology, surface treatment and kiln operation, we combine studio and conceptual skills. The courses will refine and strengthen your creative talents. In your studio time, you will obtain confidence with ceramic processes, knowledge of studio safety and achieve individual goals. Our practicing artist instructors demonstrate and assign exercises in contemporary ceramic design methods as well as traditional techniques in handbuilding, mold making, wheel forming, glazing and firing.
Combine conceptual skills learned in the classroom with hands-on practice in the studio. Individual attention from your instructors in both settings will enable you to build confidence with ceramic processes, knowledge of studio safety and ultimately, achieve individual goals. Develop a solid body of work and be fully prepared to pursue independent practice.
Program Objectives
Ceramics instructors will place particular emphasis on engaging students in developing a body of work in preparation to pursue an independent practice.
Contextualizing a modern ceramic practice through an understanding of the history of ceramics and contemporary ceramics.
Courses Include
Individual Product Design and Making
- Wheel thrown forming: from large to small, composite forms, altering forms, generating asymmetrical forms on the wheel
- Handbuilding, molding, extruding: coil, soft slab, hardslab, pinch
- Mold making: hump molds, drape molds, one- and two-piece plaster molds
- Slip casting
Personalized Surface Treatment
- Glaze technology
- Glaze chemistry
- Glaze mixing and testing
- Colourants, slips and underglazes
- Developing a personal palette
- Using natural materials in the ceramic process
Understanding the Kiln
- Electric kiln technology, maintenance and repair
- Gas firing, maintenance, repair and construction
- Refractories
- Burner construction and maintenance
- Introduction to castable
- Alternative firing methods, wood, soda salt