Intro to Ceramics Class-FA340: March 2012

FA: 340

Intro to Ceramics

TA: Meredith Lewis

Class Times: Mon., Wed., Fri.- 10:10-11:50

Office: Fine Arts 4066

Email: meredith.lewis@wsu.edu

Office Hours: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

The intention of this class is to get your hands in the clay using as many different forming and decorating methods as possible. In conjunction with the assignments we will have slide-shows of ceramic styles and techniques from around the world through history, and many demonstrations of forming and decorating techniques. We will use three major clay-forming methods, pinch, coil, and slab in a variety of vessel and sculptural projects. We will work with a variety of low-range glaze firing techniques. This class will also focus on identifying and strengthening student’s creative voice in the ceramic medium. We will seek to clarify and amplify the conceptual basis of your artwork and to place your artwork in its historic and cultural context.

REQUIREMENTS:

Completion of all projects is required for a passing grade, as is regular attendance. Periodical readings will help inspire, focus, and generate discussion. Participation in and preparation for these discussions is mandatory.

Recommended Textbook: Clay: A Studio Handbook, by Vince Pitelka. Not required to buy.

Sketchbook: This will be used for recording artistic ideas as well as information. Bring sketchbooks to class daily!

Projects: Project descriptions are handed out as needed with detailed descriptions and due dates. Every project will require plans and drawings that will be reviewed and discussed as well.

Artist Research: You will be expected to research one ceramic artist of your choice. A one to two page essay including pictures will be handed in at the end of the course.

Extra Credit: The only extra credit in this class will be to make up absences over the four allowed(read below). This can only be done for up to three absences by attending a visiting artist lecture or art exhibit here at the university and handing in a one page response to that event by the last class.

ATTENDANCE:

You are expected to attend every class as scheduled. At least 20% of your grade depends on effort, which includes attendance. Late arrivals and excessive absences will seriously affect your grade, regardless of quantity or quality of work. I will keep track of attendance, and after four unexcused absences each additional unexcused absence will result in one letter grade reduction in your final grade, and could result in a failing grade. The ONLY excused absence is a school function for which you should provide a signed note for the days missed. Doctors appointments and being sick are NOT EXCUSED ABSENCES!!!! Unless you make other arrangements with me, stay for the entire three-hour class - make the most of the time, but take breaks whenever you need. If unusual circumstances cause you to miss a number of class meetings, contact me promptly so that we can work around it.

GRADING:

80% of your grade depends on Projects and Originality. This includes enthusiastic on-time completion of studio projects incorporating expectations identified in assignment handouts, and the methods and imagery discussed and demonstrated in class. You are encouraged to bring personal influences and ideas into your work. Originality and innovation will be generously rewarded. This class is meant to guide you in both your technical and conceptual artistic endeavors. I expect you to think critically about the work you are making. Beware of using cliché stereotypical symbols, ex: Hearts, rainbows, teddy bears, pretty flowers, unicorns, peace signs, skulls; and if you knowingly decide to use such images be prepared to defend!

Also, no copyrighted symbols or information which includes:

Washington State University Logos, copyright symbols or logos.

Dig deeper! Be Inspired! Take chances!

20% of your grade depends on Effort. This includes following through with projects even though you may run into problems, trying new forms/ideas outside your comfort zone, maintaining a positive attitude, being prepared and present for all class meetings or coordinating and informing me otherwise, and helping maintain a clean and cooperative studio environment.

Project grades will be assigned as follows:

A 93-100

A- 90-92

B+ 87-89

B 83-86

B- 80-82

C+ 77-79

C 73-76

C- 70-72

D+ 67-69

D 63-66

D- 60-62

F 59 and below

GRADING(Continued):

Due to the nature of the ceramic process you will not always receive an individual grade for every project. Some projects we will work on building for weeks, then it might not be glazed until the end of the semester. You will receive a mid-term grade and a final grade according to the rubric above, and if at any time you are unsure or have questions about your grade please feel free to ask or set up a meeting with me. The most important thing is to be present for all class meetings and complete all projects.

MATERIALS:

Required by the third-class meeting:

I recommend going to Crimson and Gray! They have better prices and more selection.

Ceramic tool kit from Crimson and Gray or the equivalent.
Brushes of different sizes (minimum of one “Hake” brush and one “round” or ink brushes for making painting lines)
Fettling knife
Pencil or pen
Sketchbook(any size)

Optional materials:

Stainless Steel rib with serrated edge-(only available at Crimson and Gray)
Exacto knife
Bucket or holder for tools
Sur-form tool

STUDIO RESPONSIBILITIES AND RULES:

1. Making your own clay and recycling it when necessary.

*NOTE: NO PLASTER IN ANY OF THE CERAMIC AREAS! If you have a mold it can only be brought into the ceramic classrooms after it has been cleaned and dried in the proper area.

2. Assuming responsibility for the firing and glazing of your artwork. This includes helping load, unload, and fire kilns; cleaning kiln shelves and storing work in a safe place after firing. You may also be asked to help mix the class glazes and colored slips. Glaze must be cleaned off the bottoms of pieces before firing, unless you use wadding or stilts. If your work requires either wadding or stilts you must personally load you piece into the kiln.

3. Maintaining the ceramic facilities at their optimum working condition for all students by following proscribed studio procedures: i.e. keeping class clay covered to prevent drying, clearing work spaces and cleaning up after you finish working in any area (glaze room, wheel room, kiln room, etc.), consideration for other student’s work in progress.

4. Respect for classmates, instructors, other ceramic classes, and studio facilities. Radio or tape music at the instructor's discretion.

5. A constructive and cooperative attitude towards working in a shared studio space with shared facilities.

6. Cleaning up glaze room after use; sponging off table and scales, cleaning up all spills from floor, emptying and washing spray gun. NO EATING OR DRINKING IN GLAZE ROOM.

7. TURN OFF PHONES AND ELECTRONIC “TEXTING” DEVICE WHEN YOU ENTER THE CLASSROOM.

*Classrooms 4071 & 4073 are cell-phone free zones. Phone use or “texting” is NOT allowed during class in these Fine Art studios. One violation of this rule results in one absence. If you wish to “make-up” an absence resulting from your cell phone ringing during class, you can bring cookies to share to the NEXT CLASS meeting.

Phone use is also not permitted when working in the studio outside of class time. Please respect fellow artists need to focus and concentrate by using hallway for phone conversations.

STUDIO KILN USE POLICY:

This ceramics studio is part of the Department of Fine Arts. In the interest of maintaining a high quality of work in the ceramic studio and use to kilns and facilities is for ceramic students and fine arts faculty only. The studio will not fire the following: work made by children, work made by people not enrolled in a WSU ceramics class, work not done for ceramic class assignments, cracked, broken or poorly crafted work, and any work that is suspected to be ANY form of drug paraphernalia. All firing of work is done at the discretion of your instructors, teaching assistants and technical assistants.

WORKLOAD: Ceramics is a process that takes time and patience and it is important that you understand this. You should plan on spending up to six hours per week outside of class times to work on projects. Incomplete or underdeveloped work will affect your overall grade! Don’t be lazy! Everybody works at a different pace and knowing yours is part of becoming a productive studio artist. It is your responsibility to stay motivated and schedule your time properly. Due to the nature of the material it is possible you will be working on several projects at once, which can be confusing. I do not give out calendars/schedules other than the one in this syllabus and on assignment handouts therefore, you must listen to announcements in class and pay attention to due dates, upcoming firings, etc. It is your responsibility to have your work on the proper carts and make sure it is loaded in to the proper kilns under my supervision. Feel free to ask questions if you are ever unsure, and I suggest keeping a calendar of some sort to help you with organization.

CLASSROOM USE: You are welcome to use the facility during the hours when other classes are not in session. The building is open from 7a.m. to 10p.m. (you can work in the building 24hours a day but the doors lock at 10)on most days. It is usually locked on holidays so be sure to make arrangements or be prepared. Please leave your area clean and store your projects on designated storage shelf or in a locker. The lockers in the hallway are available to students enrolled in a sculpture or ceramic class, but you must provide the lock if desired. Lockers must be cleaned out completely at the end of the semester.

At the end of the semester you must clean out your locker, place all unwanted but useable scrap in the appropriate containers, discard any junk and remove all your projects from the studio. You must remove all projects, supplies, padlocks, and any other personal items from the classroom by finals week. Items left behind are subject to disposal at instructors discretion.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: WSU is committed to principles of truth and academic honesty. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication in the process of academic work, and can result in suspension or dismissal from the university. In this class, academic dishonesty will result in failure of the course and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. See http:www.studentaffairs.wsu.edu/conductoffice/academicintegrity.asp for more information.

DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS: I am committed to providing assistance to help you be successful in this course. Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. Please visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first two weeks of every semester to seek information or to qualify for accommodations. All accommodations MUST be approved through DRC (Admin Annex Building, Rooms 205) Call 509-335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability counselor.

CLASS SCHEDULE: (Subject to change)

First Week: January 9,11, 13

Pinch forms assignment

Joining two pieces together

Slideshow

Second Week: January 16, 18, 20

January 16-NO CLASS-MLK Day

Continue working on Pinch forms

Coil demo-in class project

Slip decoration

Third Week: January 23, 25, 27

Five Pinch forms due-Monday, Jan. 23