Ceramics & Sculpture Department

 

8365 Sculpture

(9 weeks, every day, .5 credit) 

In this hands-on, 9-week adventure, students dive into the world of sculpture, crafts, and industrial design. With 83 minutes a day and a buffet of materials—from clay to found objects—they’ll shape, mold, and build their way through each unit of study! Think big, build bold, and get messy!

8360 Introduction to Ceramics

(9 weeks, .5 credit)

This course is open to students in grades 10 – 12 who have an interest in learning basic hand-building techniques used to create ceramic works of art.  Students will have the opportunity to learn the following techniques: pinch, coil, and slab construction, along with various sculptural techniques.  Students will learn a variety of decorative and glaze techniques as they work with both low-fire and high-fire clay bodies and glazes.  All work is fired in an oxidation environment with an electric kiln. In this introductory course, students apply art history, practice artistic criticism, and develop a personal aesthetic in the ceramic arts.  Students will focus on expanding their creative abilities and problem-solving skills as they learn about the historical and cultural significance of both functional and nonfunctional ceramic works of art. This course is not required in order to take Ceramics 1, nor does it replace Ceramics 1 as the prerequisite for Ceramics 2.  A fee of $10.50 through My Payments Plus will be charged for instructional materials used in projects kept by the student.

8361 Ceramics 1

(18 weeks, 1 credit)

This course is open to students in grades 10 – 12 who have an interest in learning basic hand-building techniques used to create ceramic works of art.  Students will have the opportunity to learn the following techniques: pinch pots, coil construction, slab construction, and various sculptural techniques.  Students will learn a variety of decorative and glaze techniques as they work with both low-fire and/or high-fire clay bodies and glazes.  All work is fired in an oxidation environment with an electric kiln. Art history, criticism and developing a personal aesthetic in the ceramic arts are introduced in the course.  Students will focus on expanding their creative abilities and problem-solving skills as they learn about the historical and cultural significance of both functional and non-functional ceramic works of art. The historical focus of this course is based on Meso-America.  Students will learn about the culture, customs and artwork of these cultures.  These cultures may include but are not limited to the Incans, Mayans, Peruvians and Aztecs.  A fee of $21.00 through My Payments Plus will be charged for instructional materials used in projects kept by the student.

8362 Ceramics 2

(18 weeks, 1 credit)

Students will continue their study of ceramic media and design problems. Individuals will plan and analyze units of study with the instructor to develop skills in specific areas and knowledge. Technique is integrated with student ideas, aesthetics, and personal expression. A fee of $21.00 through My Payments Plus will be charged for instructional materials used in projects kept by the student.  Prerequisite: Ceramics 1, C or better.

8363 Ceramics 3

(18 weeks, 1 credit)

Students will continue their study of ceramic media and design problems. Individuals will plan and analyze units of study with the instructor in order to develop skills in specific areas and knowledge.  Technique is integrated with student ideas, aesthetics and personal expression.  A fee of $21.00 through My Payments Plus will be charged for instructional materials used in projects kept by the student.  Prerequisite: Ceramics 2, C or better. Note: Ceramics 3 may be taken more than once for elective credit with teacher approval.

8364 Ceramics 4

(18 weeks, 1 credit)

Ceramics 4 offers advanced students in grades 11-12 the opportunity to refine their ceramic techniques and strengthen their artistic voice through complex, self-directed projects. Building on skills from Ceramics 1-3, students will engage in advanced wheel-throwing, sculptural design, and experimental forms. Students will develop a unique portfolio of functional and non-functional works that explore contemporary and historical influences. An emphasis is placed on pushing boundaries in surface treatments, glaze layering, and mixed media. Through critiques, students will articulate their creative processes, explore aesthetic decision-making, and respond to feedback.