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Ceramics

If you want to create artwork that is functional and have fun while doing it, then ceramics is the choice for you.

Our ceramics concentration emphasizes equal development in aesthetics, technical knowledge, and conceptual approaches. The curriculum balances fundamental skill development in hand-building and wheel-throwing with an understanding of historical and contemporary ceramic perspectives. Exposure to diverse forming techniques, firing methods and ceramic materials provides a well-rounded foundation. Individual exploration is fostered through an emphasis on personal research, material research, and experimentation.

Professional practices are addressed to help transition students into a career in the arts and/or pursuit of the Master of Fine Arts degree. Our intent is to develop young professionals with strong art making practices who can contribute to and compete in the art world.

Located in Fletcher Hall, the ceramics studio occupies a 1,900 square foot space. The studio external kiln yard occupies 1600 square feet of work space. Both studios are open seven days a week. The main studio houses motorized and kick potters wheels, a clay extruder, slab roller, and wedging and canvas covered work tables. A 300 square foot Glaze Lab includes triple beam scales, a spray booth, air compressor, pug mills, dust collector, glaze bins and stainless steel topped work surfaces. A 550 square foot kiln room houses 9 kilns including 2 Alpine updrafts, 3 electric, and 4 for raku, soda, woodfire, and car processes.

Inventory of Equipment in Ceramics Studio

  • 8 Canvas-covered Tables
  • 10 Brent Model B Motorized Wheels
  • 1 Brent Kick Wheel
  • 1 Plaster-topped Wedging Table,
  • 1 Brent Slab Roller
  • 1 Bailey Clay Extruder  w/Assorted Dies
  • 3 Metal Banding Wheels
  • 1 Aluminum Ware Cart
  • 11 Freestanding Wooden Shelving Units
  • 2 Overhead Micro Air Dust-collection Units (awaiting installation)
  • Assorted Wooden Ware Boards
  • Assorted Wooden and Plastic Bats (for wheel throwing)
  • Assorted Hand Tools (rulers, paddles, ceramic carving, cutting, and surfacing tools, spray
  •        bottles, sponges and scrapers)
  • 1 First-aid Kit and Eye Wash Station
  • 2 Electric Drills (glaze mixing)
  • 2 Water Hoses
  • 4 Squeegees

Glazing Lab

  • 1 Ohaus Digital Scale
  • 1 Ohaus Triple Beam Scale
  • 1 Mettler Toledo Floor Scale
  • 1 Alpine Spray Booth
  • 1 Cambell Hausefield Air Compressor
  • 1 Amaco Ball Mill with Porcelain Jars and Beads
  • 1 Venco De-airing Pug Mill
  • 2 Bailey glaze Formulation Tables with Bins
  • Full Range of Glaze Chemicals and Clays
  • 1 Aerocology Dust-collector
  • 1 Torit Dust-collector
  • 1 Soldner Studio Clay Mixer
  • 2 Glaze Spray Guns
  • 1 Pneumatic Die Grinder
  • Assorted Scoops and Measuring Containers
  • 1 Bench Grinder

Coordinators’ Office

  • 1 Custom-built Photographic Seamless Backdrop (property of area coordinator)
  • 1 Custom-built Overhead Light Box (property of area coordinator)
  • 1 Boom Standards (property of area coordinator)
  • 1 Tripod (property of area coordinator)
  • 1 Pentax 35mm Camera (property of area coordinator)
  • Assorted Books, Magazines, and Technical References on Ceramics (property of area coordinator)

Indoor Kiln Room:

  • 1 50 Cubic Foot Alpine Updraft Gas Kiln
  • 1 30 Cubic Foot Alpine Updraft Gas Kiln
  • 1 16 Cubic Foot Alpine Electric Kiln
  • 1 10 Cubic Foot Olympic Electric Kiln
  • 1 Test Kiln
  • 1 Oxygen Probe Analyzer
  • 1 3-Phase Air-compressor (awaiting electrical connection)
  • 1 MK Diamond Wet Saw
  • 1 3.5" Angle Grinder
  • 3 Pneumatic Die Grinders
  • Assorted Kiln Shelves and Furniture
  • Assorted Leather & Kevlar Gloves
  • 1 Self-igniting Propane Torch
  • 1 Wall-mounted Safety Ear Plug Dispenser
  • 1 Millermatic Mobile Mig Welder
  • Assorted Welding Helmets and Face Shields
  • 1 Clothing Cabinet (in storage)
  • 4 Aluminized Safety Suits for Metal Casting (in storage)

Outdoor Kiln Yard & Foundry

  • 1 60 Cubic Foot Gas Kiln for Soda Firing (partially built)
  • 1 100 Cubic Foot Train-kiln for Wood Firing (construction yet to start)
  • 1 wax Burnout Kiln (construction yet to start)
  • 1 Raku Kiln (working and in use)
  • 1 Propane & Gas Cylinder Safety Storage Container
  • 1 Sandblasting Cabinet (not installed)
  • 1 Metal Worktable
  • 1 Overhead Trolley with Hoist (not installed)
  • 1 Gas-firing Foundry Furnace (in storage)
  • 1 Oxyacetylene Cart with Torch
  • 1 Wax-burnout Kiln (construction yet to start)
  • Assorted Kiln Shelves and Furniture
  • 2 Tongs for Raku Firing
  • Assorted Crucibles (in storage)
  • Assorted Pouring Arms and Casting Equipment for Foundry (in storage)