About this Course

Course Description: This intermediate level sculpture class will study sculptural form with a focus on the conceptual, aesthetic, and technical processes involved in developing expressive sculptural form through ceramic processes. Sculptures will be colored with slips and glazes, and completed by firing. The course will incorporate historic highlights and contemporary examples, through Power Point image presentations and readings. There will be a strong technical focus on plaster mold-making and methods of developing color and surface variety in glazes that are appropriate for sculpture. All students will be responsible for individual and group "lab work": loading, firing, and unloading electric and gas kilns.

The course is composed of four projects; two are conceptually based and two are designed to build your technical skills in sculpting. Two conceptual projects will challenge you to develop a personal outlook and societal perspective. These projects provide options for focus, but you will select a direction within a theme that will allow you to create personally vital artwork. One sculpture will require multiples placed within a setting, the other will challenge you to work at larger scale. Each project will allow you to use the technical research you are doing for this course within the artwork.


Model duplication using computers is an exciting option today with 3D scanners and printers. Plaster mold making is the original technique sculptors used to create multiple forms. Mold making is a valuable process that is being used creatively by contemporary ceramic artists. It is a low cost studio technique that you will learn in this course. Color and surface can make or break a ceramic sculpture. The history of decorative glazes does not always supply the answer for surface treatments in ceramic sculpture. Specialized glaze surfaces will be developed through testing and use of materials in more advanced ways.

The entire syllabus with projects is discussed during our first class meeting so that you can begin considering the ideas you might want to work with to create artwork that fulfills project guidelines. This course is paperless so you can access the syllabus, projects, calendar, and technical handouts on the class blog address: nansceramicsculpture2.blogspot.com. It is far easier to digest and idea and to consider your options over time than to decide overnight. This course is fast paced so please plan ahead!

Course Goals:
(1) To explore sculpting techniques that reach beyond the fundamental building, surfacing, and firing processes used for ceramics.
(2) To further develop personal imaging and conceptualization skills that relate to a personal aesthetic.
(3) To apply design skills to sculptural form and surface considerations to promote the selected sculptural concept.
(4) To develop skills in plaster mold making including: model making, sectioning a three-dimensional form, mold design and use as a press-mold and/or slip cast mold.
(5) To learn to slip cast ceramic forms.
(6) To learn to press-mold sculptural ceramic forms.
(7) To learn more about color and glaze for ceramic sculpture.
(8) To learn about glaze materials and coloring oxides by gaining practical experience through specific testing techniques that can result in personal surface treatments for sculpture.