Students in this class will learn to use a variety of ceramic production methods techniques including; molding, pressing, extruding, and giggering, to design and make small pottery editions. The focus is the design and perfection of the objects made and methods used. This class will also serve as a platform for inviting visiting artists to make small editions using our production facilities.
Major requirement; Ceramic majors
Registration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration

The course explores an extensive range of sculptural possibilities for ceramics through the theme of sampling. Students transform found shapes, images or objects, borrow and mix cultural information and contemporary art. The emphasis is on experimentation and development of personal ideas. Designed for students at an advanced level, using clay as a primary material and involving a variety of processes and forming methods.
Major requirement; Ceramic majors
Registration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration
Available to nonmajors as elective for 3 credits by petition and/or permission of department head

In the first semester, graduate students begin their investigation and produce clay works that allow the faculty to assess their approach and capabilities. Students are available and pursue active contact with the faculty. Students also attend supplemental department presentations.
Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors only
Registration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

An exploration and development of personal ideas and vision with their materialization in clay. An introduction to the techniques of handbuilding focusing on clay as a sculptural medium.
Major requirement for Ceramic majors, Non-majors on a space available basis

Continued exploration begun during the first year leads to the presentation of a thesis project. Students work during class hours to ensure daily contact with faculty.
Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors only
Registration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

This class helps you to develop the vocabulary of concepts relating your work to your sources. A number of exercises are undertaken culminating in a presentation of your ideas.
Major requirement; Ceramic majors only
Registration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration

This course helps the Ceramics graduate student develop a vocabulary of concepts concerning their works in clay. A slide presentation is made by each student concerning the relationship between an artist's resources, historical precedent and works in clay for class discussion.
Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors only
Registration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

In the beginning of your fourth year you work independently with a ceramic faculty tutor to develop your individual degree project. Your project is expected to be a body of ceramic work that is unified in direction, significant in its degree of growth, innovative in its resolution, and personal in its expression.
Major requirement; Ceramic majors only
Registration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration

In this class we will utilize an industrial approach and integrate it with a fine art sensibility. Students will learn how to make molds and prototypes; produce porcelain casting slip; strategies in casting; traditional and non-traditional surface applications. Course projects will focus on non-functional concepts, and a site-specific final project.
Many tools are supplied, however,students are required to purchase a tool kit to supplement those already on hand. Major requirement
Available to nonmajors as elective

A seminar exploring ceramic method and expression from technical perspectives. A study of raw materials including clay, clay bodies, and glaze calculation. The focus is the connection between technical development, and aesthetic expression. In-depth independent research required. A materials diary kept.
Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors only
Registration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

A seminar exploring idea, method, and expression as found in the history of ceramic art. The focus is the potential connection between historical awareness and the development of your own work. Independent research is required.
Major requirement; Ceramic majors only
Registration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration
Available to nonmajors as elective with department permission required

A seminar exploring ceramic method and expression from historical and contemporary perspectives. The focus is the connection between historical awareness, and aesthetic expression in the student's work. In-depth independent research required.
Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors only
Registration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

A seminar exploring ceramic idea, method, and expression in ceramic art from the technical perspective. Raw materials, clay bodies, glazes and glaze calculation are studied. The potential connection between technical understanding and the fulfillment of your vision and aesthetic expression is examined. Independent research is required.
Sophomore, major requirement; Ceramic majors only
Registration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration
Available to nonmajors as elective with department permission required

This course is designed to investigate how clay can work to transform, engage and activate space. Over the 5-week winter session, students will learn a variety of ceramic building techniques. This course will culminate in two separate installation projects, one collaborative and one individual. The primary focus of this course will be on the physical interaction of object and space but a basic knowledge of firing and glazing techniques will also be covered. Students are encouraged to use mixed media to create ceramic-centric installations.

Description: Students will be encouraged to design and make architectural and sculptural projects in response to Persian art and architecture. There is a significant difference between the architectural ornaments before and after Islam. We will move through basic building and surface treatments including coil building, carving and glazing. The main goal will be making specific studio projects through a close observation of Persian art and architecture.

Introduction to the techniques and potential of wheel thrown pottery and handbuilt forms. We will aggressively move through the basic techniques of wheel throwing and handbuilding in an effort to realize and generate student ideas in clay. The ultimate goal will then be to critically examine form and function, surface and volume in an effort to create fresh and vibrant work.

The purpose of this course is to prepare a written thesis. You will be required to develop an outline, bibliography, and first and second drafts. Completion and presentation will be during the following spring semester.
This course is reserved for and required of Second-year MFA Ceramics majors.
Schedule individually arranged with instructor.

2D vs. 3D, form vs. surface. Investigation of how form suggests the surface and how surface can redefine the form. Various hand building and decorative processes are used.

Estimated cost of materials: $100.00

This advanced studio is cross-listed with the Interior Architecture Department.
Restricted to Ceramics Seniors and Grads.

A posed model will serve as the visual base from which students will compose and articulate 3-dimensional form in clay. Class projects include a series of small standing figures, a portrait, and a series of larger figures or large fragments of figures. Students will learn to build armatures and use clay modeling tools effectively. Outside assignments include skull study, a hand study and drawings from figurative sculpture found in and around Providence. Strong emphasis is given both to whole sight and to abstraction of essentials - proportion, spatial relationship, and axial orientation.
Sophomore, major requirement; Ceramic majors only
Registration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration
Available to nonmajors as elective

The second semester is a development of the ideas and work begun in the first. Students are available and pursue active contact with the faculty. Students also attend supplemental department presentations.
Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors only
Registration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

Continued exploration begun during the first year leads to the presentation of a thesis project. Students work during class hours to ensure daily contact with faculty.
Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors only
Registration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

Students explore the pottery making processes of throwing, jiggering, extruding, casting, and pressing. They test and experiment creating the ceramic surfaces from a variety of high temperature glaze and firing techniques. They establish and challenge the creative and expressive potentials of utility.
Major requirement, Ceramics majors only
Registration by Ceramics department, course not available via web registration
Nonmajors as elective with permission by department required

The second semester is a continuation of the senior degree project begun in the Fall. The work and ideas are further developed and refined for final presentation at the Woods-Gerry Gallery.
Major requirement; Ceramic majors only
Registration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration

From altering ready-made ceramic objects with your own digitally printed decals to learning how to make ceramic objects of your own design using basic wheel-throwing, hand-building and slip-casting techniques, we will explore tableware from formal to informal-historic to contemporary. This course is designed to introduce utilitarian ceramics as a medium to majors in other disciplines as well as challenge ceramics majors in their own medium. The course emphasis is hands-on projects using both traditional and non-traditional ceramic techniques. Additionally there will be assigned readings, lectures and independent research projects. Work is regularly reviewed in individual and group critiques.
Elective for Ceramic majors
Available to nonmajors with department permission required

Introduction to the techniques and potentials of wheel thrown pottery.
Elective