Ceramic Art

This is the primary component of the first year of ceramic art graduate studies. The focus is on individually directed studio research in consultation with the faculty. Studio work is evaluated at the midterm and final reviews by the entire faculty. Students work individually with a different faculty advisor each semester.

This seminar is required for first year; second semester graduate students in Ceramic Art. It is a faculty structured; student generated; and research discussion group course focusing on the history of contemporary ceramic art; mid 19th century to the present. It is intentionally founded on principles of artist studio practice rather than on academic art history methodologies.

This summer course offers 4-weeks of comprehensive ceramic art experience. Students can enroll in the 4-week open studio intensive or two consecutive 2-week sessions. Students work independently with faculty oversight and guidance from Graduate Teaching Assistants. Individual work space is provided with wheels; tables and other basic equipment. Personal Development is emphasized. (This course may be taken twice for credit.)

This course covers the fundamentals of body and glaze development focusing on ceramic raw materials and their role in forming and firing for functional ware and sculpture bodies. Glaze formulations are also discussed; including glaze chemistry; texture; and causes of common defects.

This is an open forum discussion-based course that builds on ART 582-Ceramic Materials I and stresses the application of ideas and concepts to solve studio problems. Students are expected to participate in the discussion; to bring examples of problems; and share the results of experiments to rectify those problems.

The focus of this lab/lecture course is the operation; maintenance and design of ceramic art based kilns. Discourses include: kiln theory; combustion; fuels; refractory materials; basic electrical theory and construction. Students design their own kiln using blueprints; calculations for heat input and a material source list.

This course will introduce CAD software and related applications for design and fabrication in multiple materials. Fluidity between digital technologies and existing studio techniques will be stressed. This elective course can benefit students at all levels.

This course compliments ART 587-Intro to 3D modeling and Rapid Prototyping; allowing the student to acquire a practical application for 3D modeling through use of CAD (SolidWorks; Rhino); CAM (Delcam for SolidWorks; RhinoCam and Mastercam); and reverse engineering software (Rapidworks; Scanstudio). Students learn technical competency in contemporary technology for 3D fabrication. May be repeated one time for credit (up to a total of 4 credit hours).

This course examines the nature and properties of materials that create special effects and color in glazes; with an intensive approach to the study and analysis of glazes. When taught as on online hybrid in a Fall or Spring semester; the course combines online instruction with a required on-campus laboratory component (ART 599L). There is no on-campus lab component when taught as an online course in Allen Term or Summer Term. May be repeated one time for credit (a total of 8 credit hours).

Provides graduate students an opportunity to work with faculty outside of their division. Enrollment is by permission of the faculty; based on space/time availability and with approval of respective Division Chair.

The ceramic art thesis is a body of work that is presented in a gallery exhibition at the end of the fourth semester of study. Students work with individual faculty studio advisors; with midterm and final reviews by the entire ceramic faculty. The faculty will choose a work from the exhibition for the Glory Hole Collection of the Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art at Alfred.