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Welcome to VCD1330A SP26 – Foundations in Ceramics

Prof. Jen Greenwood

A message from Prof. Greenwood:

This class offers an engaging introduction to the art and craft of ceramics, providing students with hands-on experience in basic construction methods. You will explore and practice core techniques, including pinching, coil building, and slab construction. By the end of this course, you will have completed several finished ceramic pieces and gained a solid foundation in both the technical and creative aspects of ceramics.

Hand-built pinched koi fish from Project 1. Photographed by student Rachel McCalmont.

Class description

This class offers 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 ceramic pieces and gained a solid foundation in both the technical and creative aspects of ceramics.

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

  • Attain a fundamental level of skill in basic hand-building techniques, including pinch, coil, and slab construction.
  • Learn to develop form and surface through research and thoroughly developed ideas, supported by intentional design and material choices.
  • Demonstrate the ability to design, refine, glaze, and present ceramic work appropriate for foundational ceramics projects.
Class Fieldtrip to the Scripps College Marer Collection of Contemporary Ceramics.
“Mesa de Recuerdos | Table of Memories” hand-built table setting using pinching techniques by Alonso Trujillo.

Credits:

Jen Greenwood