Description: The ceramics course focuses on two basic areas of study; forming functional pottery and creating sculptural forms. The traditional methods of pinched forms, slab construction, and coil building, as well as a combination of these techniques will be introduced.
Emphasis is placed on the elements and principles of art as they apply to ceramics. Basics will be covered in the use of glazes and under-glazes. Students will view and discuss historical and contemporary pieces of ceramics work and will gain an understanding and appreciation of these forms. In the area of ceramics sculpture, considerable emphasis will be placed on creative and imaginative approaches to both natural and abstract structures. Each semester the class takes a field trip to a museum, work site or potter's studio.

Ceramics II is an extension of Ceramics I; exploring on a more sophisticated level, those skills and techniques learned during the first semester. Both levels function during the same class period, but level I techniques must be handled proficiently before a student can take the advanced level.

Credit: 1 per semester (for each level)
Length of course: 1 semester (both levels offered each semester)

*Due to high cost of some materials, students may be asked to provide/purchase sketchbooks/materials/tools at their own expense and also pay a studio fee.