Clay
Diploma 2-year at Kootenay School of the Arts, Nelson
Program faculty are undertaking a review of studio programming. See the program website for more details as they emerge (early spring 2011).
Program Calendar
Fall 2011
- September 6 - Fall term begins - fees due
- September 7 - Get Connected Orientation
- December 9 - Fall classes end
- December 12 to 16 - Critique week
Winter 2012
- January 3 - Winter term begins - fees due
- February 13 to 17 - Reading Break - note reading break may vary in length by program
- April 5 - Winter classes end
- April 10 to 18 - Critique week
- April 20 - Graduation ceremonies
Fall 2012
- September 5 - Fall term begins - fees due
- December 7 - Fall classes end
- December 10 to 21 - Critique week
Winter 2013
- January 2 - Winter term begins - fees due
- February 11 to 15 - Reading Break - note reading break may vary in length by program
- April 5 - Winter classes end
- April 8 to 16 - Critique week
- April 19 - Graduation Ceremonies
Clay work exemplifies the human ability to be creative, even with such a basic earthen material. Knowledge of this art form, progressing from the earliest recorded history to current high tech analysis, offers the modern clay worker access to a wealth of skills and information.
Full time students can expect 27-30 hours per week in lecture and studio.
Program Objectives
Throughout the clay program, students will be encouraged to explore traditional and contemporary approaches to working with clay. To address the visual experiences and to develop the physical requirements, students of Clay will be introduced to a wide variety of technical, critical, aesthetic and historical issues.
Career Potential
During the introductory studio year, students will be engaged in establishing a strong basis in the processes of clay. The second studio year is composed of specific study areas to be applied to designing and producing a professional body of work.
Throughout the Clay program, instructors will place particular emphasis on preparing students to work as independent artists and craftspeople.
Approximate Expenses
Total program expenses are comprised of both College Fees and Program Specific Fees.
Program Courses
Course of Studies
Translation key:
- Crd = Credits
- Lec = Lecture Hours per week;
- Lab = Lab Hours per week;
- Sem = Seminar Hours per week;
- Ttl = Total course hours
Courses marked as (D) are available via Distance Education.
| Course | Name | Cred | Lec | Lab | Sem | Ttl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Term 1 |
||||||
| CL 101 | Clay Studio | 1.5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| CL 105 | Surface Treatment I | 1.5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| CH 103 | Craft and Design History | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| DE 105 | Design: Basic Visual Language I | 3.0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| DR 101 | Introduction to Drawing I | 3.0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Total: | 12 | 15 | 12 | 0 | 27 | |
| Course | Name | Cred | Lec | Lab | Sem | Ttl |
Term 2 |
||||||
| CL 106 | Studio Craft History | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| CL 108 | Wheel Thrown Production II | 3.0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| CL 110 | Handbuilt Production I | 3.0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| DE 106 | Design: Basic Visual Language II | 3.0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| DR 102 | Introduction to Drawing II | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 15 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 21 | |
| Course | Name | Cred | Lec | Lab | Sem | Ttl |
Term 3 |
||||||
| CL 209 | Glaze Technology | 3.0 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 6 |
| CL 211 | Wheel Thrown Production III | 3.0 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 6 |
| CL 213 | 2nd Year Clay Studio I | 3.0 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 6 |
| CL 217 | Surface Treatment II | 3.0 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 6 |
| PP 201 | Professional Practices I | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total: | 15 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 27 | |
| Course | Name | Cred | Lec | Lab | Sem | Ttl |
Term 4 |
||||||
| CL 210 | Kiln Technology | 3.0 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 6 |
| CL 212 | Handbuilt Production II | 3.0 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 6 |
| CL 218 | 2nd Year Clay Studio II | 3.0 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 6 |
| CL 220 | Clay Issues and Ideas | 3.0 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 6 |
| PP 204 | Professional Practices II | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total: | 15 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 27 | |
CL 101 Clay Studio
An introduction to Ceramic processes, with the main activity being an introduction to wheel work.
CL 105 Surface Treatment I
This course will introduce ceramic materials and methods to enhance the surface design. The student will develop skills in formulating and applying glazes and slips, and learn kiln operations and firing techniques for diverse decorative results.
CH 103 Craft and Design History
The Craft and Design History course is a survey of human culture, expression and object making. It explores the concepts, materials, processes and theories which give students an historical context for their work in craft.
DE 105 Design: Basic Visual Language I
Students will engage in a series of projects that address the fundamental principles and elements of design and explore a variety of materials and approaches. There will be an emphasis on creative problem solving and critical analysis skills that encompass formal design concerns, while students develop individual ideas and aesthetics. Concepts and skills addressed in this course are applicable to all studio areas.
DR 101 Introduction to Drawing I
This is a basic drawing course designed to give the student a solid background and experience in the fundamentals of drawing as visual communication and to establish drawing technique. Through exercises and assignments, the student will learn to record a concept and use drawing as a tool to manipulate, develop, illustrate and refine those concepts.
CL 106 Studio Craft History
This course consists of a series of seminars and lectures designed to expand the student’s knowledge of ceramic history, philosophy and values as they concern the present day craftsperson.
CL 108 Wheel Thrown Production II
The emphasis of this course will be on expanding wheel throwing skills in the refinement of the techniques, the standards and the design elements that are essential in producing high quality handcrafted pottery.
CL 110 Handbuilt Production I
The focus of this course is on developing clay hand building skills. Traditional and contemporary techniques will be applied to develop creative product design.
DE 106 Design: Basic Visual Language II
This course expands upon the visual communication skills covered in DE 105 with an added emphasis on three-dimensional form. Students will continue to explore ideas and materials and, where applicable, will include techniques and processes learned in their studio areas. With some projects, a collaborative approach will be encouraged, as this is commonplace in the art, craft, and design world. Critiques will continue to be an important part of the design process.
DR 102 Introduction to Drawing II
This is a continuation of DR 101. In addition to continued work on fundamental drawing skills, students will learn to communicate a concept or finished product idea. Students will be introduced to color application and basic illustration.
CL 209 Glaze Technology
Broad introduction to working with glaze, practical hands on use of all materials in the glaze room with weekly reading and discussions of basic glaze theory.
CL 211 Wheel Thrown Production III
Presentation of techniques, values, philosophies and aesthetics related to studio production.
CL 213 2nd Year Clay Studio I
Students work on projects in series that assist students in developing technical skills, with weekly critiques that help students develop the ability to talk about their work.
CL 217 Surface Treatment II
Exploration of different methods and materials used to enhance ceramic surface.
PP 201 Professional Practices I
This course provides information to assist the emerging artist, craftsperson, or designer to develop a career as a professional practitioner. A variety of approaches will cover three broad areas of study: management, business, and marketing.
CL 210 Kiln Technology
This course will extend the students’ kiln knowledge into kiln science, history, design and construction through experience in firing principles, safe kiln operation and kiln maintenance projects.
CL 212 Handbuilt Production II
The skills and techniques emphasized in the course will be concentrated on establishing individual, innovative and marketable hand built products for both limited and volume studio specific production.
CL 218 2nd Year Clay Studio II
Students will explore principles of form and develop a personal vocabulary in clay while fulfilling projects contracted with instructors. Emphasis will be placed on achieving high quality and creativity through a process of critique.
CL 220 Clay Issues and Ideas
Through lectures, slides and discussions, this course emphasizes the identification of concepts, movements, technologies and directions related to articulating an aesthetic motive in clay practice.
PP 204 Professional Practices II
Is designed to augment the ideas introduced in PP 201 Professional Practices I by providing students with practical applications of marketing skills.
Staff
The following staff are associated with this program:
Courtney Andersen
Core/Design Instructor
Tel: 250.352.2821 Ext. 28
Email
| More information
Gene Leavitt
Core/Drawing Instructor
Tel: 250.352.2821 Ext. 28
Email
| More information
Garry Graham
Clay Instructor
Tel: 250.352.2821 Ext. 25
Email
| More information
David Lawson
Clay Instructor
Tel: 250.352.2821 Ext. 25
Email
| More information
Pamela Nagley-Stevenson
Clay Instructor
Tel: 250.352.2821 Ext. 25
Email
| More information
Wright Simmonds
Faculty Assistant
Email
| More information
Contacts
School Chair:
Laura White
Direct: 250.352.2821
Tel: 250.352.2821 Ext. 24
Email
Campus Contact
Kootenay School of the Arts, Nelson Campus
606 Victoria Street
Nelson, BC V1L 4K9
Tel: 250.352.2821
Fax: 250.352.1625
Toll Free: 877.552.2821
