Foundations in Ceramics

• Cal Poly Pomona
• Welcome!
• Photo Gallery from the Semester
• “A Seat at the Table”
• Optional Off-Campus Field Trips
• Artist Portraits

“Claywork is full of paradoxes. It is one of the most technically challenging of art media, and yet it is used by children. It is one of the most ancient media, made of the stuff of the earth itself, and yet it is also at the forefront of modern materials science. Those of us who work in clay follow an ancient tradition in which a great deal is still new, still to be done.” – Susan Peterson, The Craft and Art of Clay

Welcome!

This class for non-art majors offered an engaging introduction to the art and craft of ceramics, providing students with hands-on experience in basic construction methods. They explored and practiced core techniques, including pinching, coil building, slab construction, and surface decoration. They completed several finished projects and gained a solid foundation in both the technical and creative aspects of ceramics.

Students gained an understanding of hand-building ceramics and the tools, materials, and techniques used to create ceramic work. Major outcomes included:

• Attained a fundamental level of skill in basic hand-building techniques, including pinch, coil, and slab construction.
• Learned to develop form and surface through research and thoroughly developed ideas, supported by intentional design and material choices.
• Demonstratd the ability to design, refine, glaze, and present ceramic work appropriate for foundational ceramics projects.

Photo Gallery from the Semester

“A Seat at the Table”

A pop-up exhibition, talks, and celebration on 05/14/26.

Event made possible by the Randall Lewis Healthy Communities Mini-Grant.

Students researched and created hand-build ceramic table settings inspired by a real or imagined restaurant. Rooted in Cal Poly Pomona’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy, the assignment explored how food, culture, craft, and community come together through functional objects. The project culminated in a student designed one-day pop-up exhibition at the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies featuring their work, invited speakers from across Cal Poly Pomona, a shared meal, and a hands-on community art activity. Together, these elements created a welcoming space for creativity, connection, and cross-cultural understanding.

Photo Gallery from the event