Explore the technical and conceptual sides of both functional and sculptural ceramics, while being guided in your search for personal expression. A community atmosphere lets you experience all angles of the creative process, with instruction focusing on technical expertise, craftsmanship, aesthetic ideals, criticism, and historical background.

The Simon's Rock program in ceramics emphasizes a community atmosphere where students are exposed to all angles of the creative process. The program explores the technical and conceptual sides of both functional and sculptural ceramics, while guiding students search for personal expression through the medium. Instruction focuses on technical expertise, sound craftsmanship, aesthetic ideals, criticism, as well as historical background. Students in the Ceramics concentration must complete -- in addition to the foundation courses -- two required ceramics courses at the intermediate level, two in related studio arts disciplines, and two advanced ceramics courses (usually the advanced studio courses) for a minimum of 20 credits beyond the core foundation. One of the 200-level studio arts courses or one of the 400-level courses will need to be Interdisciplinary Critique class. Students in the concentration interested in pursuing individual interests in depth may also elect tutorials and independent projects.

Studio Art 208: Ceramic Sculpture Studio

This course will focus on advanced hand-building techniques and build upon the skills learned in Introduction to Ceramics. A series of assignments will be given that present design challenges encouraging a conceptual approach to learning new techniques. Large scale hand-built sculpture, mold making, slip casting clay and glaze mixing, and kiln firing techniques (electric, gas, wood) will all be introduced in this course. An essential part of the course consists of questioning every aspect of the object and one's relationship to it and to oneself. Through slides, lectures, and films, students will exposed to a broader range of contemporary and historical ceramic art. The class will maintain a blog, and students will learn to photograph their work, write about it, and post blog entries.