Advanced Ceramics

Instructor:  Steve Schiefelbein

e-mail:  schiefes@loswego.k12.or.us

Advanced Ceramics is a studio course designed to expand upon the basic skills and ideas gained in beginning ceramics.  Students will explore a variety of ceramic techniques including refining your hand building skills and advanced wheel throwing dealing with more complex forms such as multi-part pottery, sets, vases and more.

  Course Goals:

  During this course, you will be expected to work towards these goals:

  * Demonstrate skill and knowledge of various ceramic construction techniques.

* Demonstrate skill and knowledge of various ceramic surface treatment and decoration techniques.

* Continue to develop appreciation for the art of ceramics through studio projects and experiences outside the classroom.

*  Analyze and discuss ceramic forms through group critiques and individual reflections  according to ceramic concepts as well as the elements and principles of design.

*  Integrate historic and contemporary processes into studio work.

*  Discover your limits and strive to create beyond them.

Grades:

  I use a point system to figure grades in my classes.  The system is as follows:

A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, F = 1, 0 = 0.  All projects, tests, papers, etc. will be assigned a letter grade based on specific criteria covered at the time the assignment is given.  Letter grades will be converted to numbers, which will be averaged to find the grade earned for the grading period.  In borderline cases, subjective things like daily participation, courtesy and cooperation, work habits, and clean up efforts will be taken into consideration. 

  Bottom Line:

  In order to be successful in this class, you must do the following:

  *  Complete work to the best of your ability.

*  Get all work completed and presented on time.

*  Engage in classroom discussions, activities, and critiques.

*  Be here on time, all the time, and working.

*  Pay attention, clean up properly, and be enthusiastic about what you’re doing.

Advanced Ceramics

Projects List

  Advanced Ceramics is a course designed to build on the basic skills you developed in Beginning Ceramics.  Students will work with a variety of hand building and wheel throwing techniques dealing with more complex and challenging forms.  More in-depth surface treatment and glazing applications will be employed.

  1.  Vase project X 2.  Create a slab vase shape on the potter’s wheel with an emphasis on a closed neck form.  Utilizing clay slabs, create a vase with contrasting texture effects

2.  Slab Fish Platter.  Using slab construction, create a fish with incised and raised texture effects.

3.  Pitcher project X 2.  Throw a pitcher on the wheel, create a pour spout, and pull and attach a handle.  Create a pitcher using slab or coil construction, with an emphasis on texture.

4.  Create 2 plates or platters.  Choice project using either the wheel or slab built construction.  Sgraffito slip design will be incorporated/

5.  Lidded pot X 2.  Class demonstration will illustrate three different techniques for creating lids.  Choose 2 of the 3 and make 2 lidded pot w/lids on the wheel.

6.  Three thrown bowls.  Choice of 3 nesting bowls, a set of small, medium and large, or three that match.  This assignment could be hand built with coils or slabs.

7.  Tea Pot.  Throw or hand build a functional teapot with lid, handle and pour spout.

8.  Time permitting, free projects either wheel thrown or hand built

 Another goal of Advanced Ceramics will be to give you an opportunity to try Raku firing.   This process will be done 2 or 3 times a semester, usually on a Saturday.  While not mandatory, I strongly urge students to take part in this fascinating firing technique

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