Ceramics: Hand Building, Decorative Processes and Smoke Firing

Earth and Fire... have a go at Ceramics. This course will be in the form of set projects based on developing skills in making and decorating ceramics. Students will be able to develop and express their own ideas through the techniques and processes learned. The projects will be accessible equally for beginners to embark on their journey within the craft, and for intermediate-level students and experienced ceramicists who will develop and extend their existing skills. Learn different ways to build and decorate clay pieces by hand and experience some alternative firing methods (weather permitting). You will work on projects that will take you through several traditional and non-traditional making and decorating techniques, such as pinching, coiling, slab work, and the use of slips, oxides, engobes, and glazing. More advanced students will have the option of working on personal projects. Weather permitting, students will be able to fire their work using a smoke or Raku process (Alternative firings are likely to take place only in the spring and summer terms). The course is designed so that each term builds on the previous one, but each is also accessible as a separate entity.