The Ceramics Program At DePauw University

Facilities: The ceramic studio is located on the first floor at the south end of the Peeler Art Center.

The work area is comprised of a main studio, advanced studio, a glazing room, a kiln room, clay mixing and storage room and a patio for additional kilns. The main studio has eighteen Brent potters wheels and is used primarily for the beginning classes. The advanced studio provides personal studio space, tables, wheels and shelving for nine students. The kiln room houses three, electric kilns and three, Geil gas kilns. The patio and it's shelter currently house a soda, an experimental ash and a raku kiln ). The glazing area generally has ten to fifteen class glazes as well as materials for experimental work in the advanced class.

Program: Beginning classes are offered every semester with an enrollment limit of 16. - The advanced classes usually enroll eight or nine students. Beginning classes are open to liberal arts students (excluding seniors) as well as art majors. Advanced Ceramics is offered once a year - first semester.

The beginning class focuses on clay forming techniques with an emphasis on throwing stoneware. Hand building and altered thrown forms are also explored. The beginning class projects vary by semester but will usually involve about six throwing assignments such as: pitcher, set of cups, faceted form, bowls, basket and a serving set. The class will also do Raku and at least one hand building problem. The class also include theoretical discussions of the ceramics medium.

The advanced classes extend the students throwing skills and puts more emphasis on the technology of glazes and firing. An advanced student will do experiments with glaze development and participate in the firing of kilns. The advanced student will also broaden their experience with clay bodies such as porcelain or low temperature glazes and a talc body. Throwing assignments include more advanced functional forms such as lidded vessels and teapots. The advanced class will also explore clay as a sculptural medium. Students are allowed to take up to three courses at the advanced level.

Below: Main studio and Geil Kiln: Advanced Studio and Glaze Room: Kiln Room and Soda Kiln on kiln patio