Ceramics & Sculpture

Ceramics & Sculpture I

What is the relationship between ideas and forms in sculpture?

How does experimentation foster artistic growth?

Ceramics & Sculpture I is a hands-on making studio art class focusing on 3-dimensional forms and surfaces.

With an emphasis on handbuilding in clay, students will explore a variety of materials, processes and concepts in order to create meaningful sculptures.

Students will also learn to analyze visual art across time, place and culture, as they become familiar with visual design principles.

Ceramics & Sculpture II
Prerequisite:  Ceramics & Sculpture I  

How can developing our technical skills improve the success of our artwork? 

How can we take inspiration from the world around us and form meaningful connections?   

This course builds upon experience gained in Ceramics and Sculpture I and further investigates the use of clay as a sculptural medium. Students understand and appreciate the transformative nature of clay from a plastic to rigid state. They use previously learned techniques  -- including pinching, slab forming, coil building, carving and press forming -- to create original and expressive freestanding and relief forms. Students also further develop their wheel-throwing clay skills. Students will explore the questions of “how?”, “what?” and “why?” as they design their own, personally expressive pieces. We will continue exploring non-clay sculpture techniques such as found object assemblage, paper maché, plaster, wire, wooden reed, paper, and cardboard.

Advanced Ceramics and Sculpture III

Prerequisite:  Ceramics & Sculpture II 

In Advanced Ceramics & Sculpture,  you will deepen your artistic practice and elevate your work by strengthening connections between concepts and visual form. Integral to the course is critical analysis of your own work and that of others, both in and beyond the classroom.

You’ll begin the year with instructor-guided projects that help you build technique, sharpen intentionality, experiment in approach, and push your ideas further. As you gain confidence and clarity, you’ll shift into more independent work—designing your own projects and investigating the themes, materials, or questions that matter most to you. The year ends with a student-driven exploration that results in a cohesive series of related artworks.

Throughout the year, you will showcase your best thinking and making by crafting a portfolio and public exhibition of work. If you're passionate about art and eager to grow within a supportive, creative community, this course will give you the space and structure to make your best work yet.