ART 1000 Ceramics I is designed for non-art majors and non-art minors.

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1 Georgia Regents University ART 1000 Ceramics I Tuesday and Thursday: 9:00 AM 11:30 AM Instructor: Suzette Hollins Office Hours: 11:30 AM 12:30 PM, Tuesday and Thursday, Ceramics Lab; by appointment Contact: Art Dept. Office shollins@gru.edu ART 1000 Ceramics I is designed for non-art majors and non-art minors. General Overview Ceramics is multi-faceted and process-oriented. Beginning students should be prepared to devote sufficient time to develop the skills that will yield a successful class experience. The course is designed around projects that allow students to investigate clay as a medium for creative expression through the techniques of pinching, coiling, and slab building using a low-fire clay body, and throwing on the potter s wheel using a high-fire clay body. Low firing methods will include raku firing and electric kiln firing. Gas reduction will be used for high firing. Lectures will cover the characteristics of ceramic materials and basic ceramic terminology. Lectures will also include overviews of ceramics from historical and contemporary perspectives. Student evaluation will be based on a committed involvement in all projects, participation in critiques of major projects, sketchbook content, general class participation, and attendance. Course Goal This ceramics course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the diverse medium of clay through the processes of hand-building and throwing on the potter s wheel. Students will gain knowledge of these ceramic processes by experimenting with a variety of forming, glazing, and firing techniques. The course is also designed to foster an understanding of ceramics in its role as both historical artifact and as a historical and contemporary art form. Learning Outcomes The student will be able to Demonstrate through completed projects, a basic knowledge of the ceramic processes involved in pinching, coiling, slab building, and throwing on the potter s wheel. Demonstrate a basic understanding of how low-fire glazes are applied and used for aesthetic effect through simple glaze testing and through the application of glazes to each class project. 1

2 Discuss (1) an example of historical pottery in terms of style, purpose, and cultural origin and (2) the work of one historical or contemporary ceramic artist in terms of style and personal influence. Describe the basic procedures related to the safe handling of ceramic materials and the procedures for maintaining a safe lab environment. Class Projects Projects are considered complete when they are glazed (or textured and glazed) and fired. Exact specifications for these projects will be discussed in class, including due dates. It is expected that project progress from concept development to completion will be documented in a sketchbook. There will be due dates for building as well as glazing. Hand-building Pinched pots/vessels/figures Coiled vessels (12-inch historically inspired vessel; 24-inch coiled sculpture) Slab projects (one soft slab platter/bowl designed and textured/glazed based on techniques covered in class; one hard slab architectural form, minimum of 20 inches in height) Throwing 3 cylinders (6 inches in height and at least 3 inches wide) 3 bowls (at least 5 inches in width) NOTE: Thrown work will not be fired if it does not meet thickness and technical specifications. Grading Pinched project 10 % 12-inch vessel 10% Coiled sculptural form 20 %. Slab projects 25 % Soft slab (10 %.) Hard slab (15 %) Wheel projects (cylinder and bowl) 10 % 2

3 Presentation (PowerPoint) 10 % Critique participation 5 % Midterm 10 % Other factors (such as lab time, attendance, participation, sketchbook) are also considered during the assignment of grades. Factors that determine a successful class experience: Quality of work Having supplies and having them ready to use in the lab Taking notes of information given in class Participating fully in the work needed to keep the lab running properly Attending class regularly (see Attendance Policy) and being prepared to spend the time necessary outside of class time to complete projects. (Lab sheet sign-ins are to be used to record time spent outside of class time. Lab sheets will be checked, but most importantly, the quality of your work will reveal the amount of effort.) Attending critiques (MANDATORY) Following instructions, particularly regarding technical and safely information Attendance Policy The GRU attendance policy states that you may not miss more than 10% of the course meetings. Here, that would be three (3) classes. If you miss three classes, you may be dropped from the course. If that happens after midterm, it could easily lead to a WF. Punctuality is part of attendance. If you arrive late or leave early, you can be assigned a tardy. Two tardies are the equivalent to one absence. If, at the instructor s discretion, you were allowed to remain in the course after three absences, there would be a grade penalty. The positive reason for this policy: You cannot learn fully unless you are present in class, participating, listening, learning, and doing the work. Lab Access The ceramics studio is available to students currently enrolled in a GRU ceramics course at any time during the semester except when other classes are in session. (The only exception is for students who are assistants.) After hours (generally after 5:00 PM and on weekends), you may gain access by calling Public Safety ( ). Be prepared to show your valid GRU identification. 3

4 Public Safety requires that at least two people be present at all times in the studio after 5:00 PM. There may be times when you may wish to work in the lab and you are unsure whether another registered student is present. If both parties are in agreement, you may wish to exchange numbers with a classmate to coordinate lab times in off hours. If you choose to simply work without checking with another student, and an acquaintance accompanies you to the lab, that person may not use any equipment or materials. These items are for registered students only. Useful Contact Information Public Safety Ceramics/Sculpture Lab Brian Fort at Fort Pottery Co Policy on Food and Drinks in Studios Due to EPA guidelines, food and drinks (including water) may NOT be consumed in the art studio work areas; neither can there be evidence or food and drink consumption in the studio trashcans. Consumption must be confined to the student lounge area. Trash may be deposited in trashcans in the lounge room, in the restrooms, or in trashcans outside of the studio. Rules for Safety and Professional Courtesy 1. Operate equipment ONLY if you have been trained to use it. 2. The clay mixer and kilns cannot be used without specific permission from your instructor. Clay can only be mixed in the presence of an instructor unless you are given specific permission. 3. Clay dust is hazardous. If you must sweep, sweep gently. Wiping up dust with a sponge is a safe and convenient way to clean. 4. Some dry materials and glazes carry toxicity warnings. Gloves should be worn when handling these materials. Your instructor will alert you to these materials. 5. Be aware when kilns are firing and use necessary caution around them. Operate kilns only if you have been cleared to do so. You must gain specific clearance to fire the electric kilns or the raku kiln each and every time you wish to fire. Loading and unloading of electric (and gas) kilns is by PERMISSION only! 6. Be as green as possible in the Ceramics Lab. Recycle aluminum drink cans by placing them in the blue recycle bin. Put reusable clay back in the barrel so that someone else can use it and keep the lid on the barrel. If the clay becomes too dry and unsuitable for hand-building, or too wet to use, but has not been fired, put it in a recycle barrel in the 4

5 clay mixing room. Be careful about heat and air conditioning keep the big door closed if the heat or air conditioning is on. Vent fans in the clay mixing room and for the electric kilns should be turned off when they are not in use. 7. Shoe rule: At all times while in the Ceramics Lab, you will need to wear appropriate footwear. Closed-toe shoes are required. No bare feet, of course. The lightest shoe that will meet the policy is a clog that is closed at the toe area but open in the back. A good plan is to leave a pair of work boots and socks (clean socks) in your locker so that you always have them. When rakuing, you should wear shoes that would protect your feet if you dropped a hot object straight from the kiln on them. 8. Always clean up after yourself. Don t leave clay or water on the floor this is a very slippery combination. After using the glazing area, leave it clean. Remove your work if you are not using the wheel. 9. After using a wheel, leave it clean. If you have made a big mess on the floor, clean it up with a wet sponge. Turn off electric wheels after you have finished using them. NOTE: Leaving messes after you have been warned about this problem can result in substantial penalties. 10. Report damage to your instructor immediately. After hours, call public Safety if the situation is at the emergency level. 11. Only those who are currently enrolled in GRU ceramics classes have the right to be in the Ceramics Lab. If the presence of someone who is not supposed to be in the lab is making you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, immediately call Public Safety to have the person removed. (As an alternative, you may wish to discuss the problem with your instructor later if the situation is not an emergency.) 12. Party elsewhere. 13. If you are throwing away something heavy, take it outside and put it in the dumpster. 14. Honor other people s work do not touch it when it is in a fragile state, and do not allow you family or friends to do so. 15. When the semester is over, it s over. All your work is due on the last day of class, finished, and with glaze on it. Exam period is the time when your instructor is firing kilns and grading your work this time is not available to make more pieces. 16. Your instructor reserves the right not to fire pieces that do not meet technical specifications; for instance, forms that are too think to fire safely, forms with flammable inclusions (such as paper or plastic), thrown forms that are not trimmed, any forms that do not meet basic quality standards. 17. When the semester is over and grading is finished, remove your work and possessions. Anything of your still remaining after final exams are over is the property of your instructor, and will be disposed of so that the next class may use the space. 18. Do your best to keep clay out of the sinks. Our plumbing is poor, and it needs to be babied. When the sinks back up, tell you instructor (or you can call Physical Plant at ). 5

6 19. It s great to learn from other students, but try to respect the time of others. Remember, they need their class time and work time also. Supplies Your supply fee goes towards buying your clay and the glazes that are mixed. You will need to buy your own personal tools, as listed below. Basic materials list Large plastic gallon sized zip lock bag to hold your dust masks 1 sketchbook/notebook (bring to every class to record ideas and take notes) Pencils/pens 1 ceramic toolkit containing small sponge, large and small loop tool, wooden rib, metal rib, fettling knife, cutting wire, and needle tool (Brian Fort of Fort Pottery sells a $40 kit that includes mostly every tool needed for texturing/carving and for the throwing section of the course.) OR You may buy items 1 through 9 separately. (Michael s and Hobby Lobby sell many of these items.) 1. 1 fettling knife 2. small round sponge 3. large and small loop tools 4. wooden rib 5. metal rib 6. cutting wire 7. needle tool 8. 2 bamboo brushes (#4 and #8 are good choices). Brushes for painting in oil or acrylic don t work very well for ceramics because they are meant for stiff paint, whereas you will be working with fluid glazes. Bamboo brushes are designed for use with fluids bucket for throwing and storing your tools Small lidded containers for slip 1 metal dinner fork (for scoring clay) or serrated rib Plastic garbage bags to keep your work wet Optional 6

7 Plastic spray bottle A large sponge for cleanup Apron to keep your clothes clean, or any cover-up such as mechanic s jumpsuit Bath towel to keep your legs clean while throwing Hand lotion A lock, if you plan to use a locker Hands in Clay: An Introduction to Ceramics, 5 th ed., by Speight and Toki Please note: If any student needs special accommodations because of a disability, please make an appointment to see the Director of Disability Services. Testing and Disability Services is located in the quadrangle and the phone number is Clay-making. Teams are assigned to make clay for class use. Once clay making has been demonstrated and each team has made clay under classroom supervision, teams may make clay outside of class time after coordinating a time when your instructor can be present. Team leaders are responsible for coordinating clay making and clean-up. Team leaders are also responsible for checking the clay barrel to be sure that a sufficient amount of clay is available at all times. Generally, clay should be made every week; sometimes twice in one week. When clay-making times are coordinated outside of class time, be sure to inform your instructor at least three hours ahead so that the warehouse may be unlocked. Wearing an apron or other cover-up is advised when making clay. 7