Verde Ceramics

Course Content: Lecture and Discussion Topics

Ceramics Studio Composition of Clays and Glazes Hand-building Techniques Wheel-throwing Surface Decoration Glazing Kilns Firing Kilns Ceramic Vocabulary Ceramic History Principles and Elements of Design Group and Individual Critique

ART 220 / 221 Fall 2011 Instructor Virginia Pates virginia.pates@yc.edu 649-5466 Office F111

Ceramics III & IV Course Description: Advanced study of clay building methods, glazing and firing techniques in further development of individual style. Opportunity for supervised independent work. Application of design principles.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, you should be able to:
Demonstrate how to safely use studio equipment. Choose and explain appropriate clays and glazes for individual work. Demonstrate appropriate choices and uses of hand-building methods. Demonstrate appropriate choices and uses of wheel-throwing methods. Demonstrate appropriate choices and uses of surface decoration. Demonstrate appropriate choices and uses of glazes, and have the ability to make glazes. Explain the types and firings of kilns Load and fire kilns, and program controllers. Use correct terminology in discussing ceramics. Recognize traditional, historical or contemporary examples of art. Recognize and promote discussion about the formal aspects of a ceramic object. Participate as both artist and critic in discussions of ceramic work.

Assessment: You may take this course for a pass/fail grade if you are taking it for personal interest. If you are taking the course for credit, you should request a letter grade. To receive a letter grade, you will need to complete the Student Self-Assessment form for your course level. Student Exhibition: All students will be supported in submitting work into an exhibition at the end of the semester. This semesters exhibition will be the annual Made in Clarkdale exhibition in December. Attendance: Attendence is necessary for lectures, demonstrations and critiques. Please be on time for organized activities. Please sign in whenever you attend open studios. Open Studio: In addition to the time built into your class schedule, there will be regular times when the studio is open to any student enrolled in a ceramics course. Open Studio hours will be posted on the door to the studio and on the wiki. Please be aware that learning to handle clay is a lot like learning to play a musical instrument, and you will need to spend a lot of time practicing your new skills to be successful. Website: www.verdeceramics.wikispaces.com This website contains all of your course documents, schedules and supplemental information, as well as a calander and links to other information and events about art. Students are able to edit and add to this site, and may set up their own pages.

Tools and Materials

You must purchase your clay from the Yavapai College Marketplace. Bee Mix Cone 5 - $8 / 25 lbs. The classic white stoneware body. Sedona Red - $8 / 25 lbs. Buff red body - quite smooth. Great throwing clay from J Clays. Dixon Sculpture - $10 / 25 lbs. The coarsest - the finest. This is the ultimate sculpture body. Rich rust brown in oxidation. Nara Porcelain - $12 / 25 lbs. Very white with good throwing properties.

Clay

Old credit cards, toothpicks, a piece of chamois leather - all these make great tools. However, there are some basics that you will need, some of which we will have available for sale in the Marketplace. On the other hand, the internet is a great source of information if you want to make your own. Sketchbook - Plain paper, minimum size 9 x 12. Lined Notebook - For keeping glaze records. Apron - Get one that covers as much of you as possible. Sponges - Synthetic or natural, but not cellulose. Large sponges can be cut into several smaller ones. Pencils - Sharp pencils make great tools. And you can draw with them! Cheap paint brushes - variety of sizes and stiffnesses. Knives - Paring, table or fettling. Needle Tool, sometimes called a Pin Tool Wooden Rib Cutting Wire One Gallon Bucket Five Gallon Bucket with a Lid

Other Tools and Supplies

All clay and many other supplies can be purchased through the college. You will pay for your supplies through one of the following methods, then pick up your order from your instructor. 1. Through the Business Office Verde Campus with cash, check or credit card: Building I-126, Monday-Friday: 8am-5:00pm, Tel: (928) 634-6518 2. Through the online Yavapai College Marketplace (Verde Ceramics supplies coming in mid-September): https://secure.touchnet.com/C21816_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=6

The Yavapai College Marketplace

College Policies
Student E-Mail & YC Portal: Yavapai College requires enrolled students to have an e-mail address to which official College communications can be sent. Students are expected to check their Yavapai College e-mail account. If you need assistance, go to http://www.yc.edu/content/myyc/emailinfo.htm Students may elect to forward their e-mail to an address different from their official Yavapai College account (see instructions on website), but assume full responsibility for reading e-mail at the forwarded location. All YC students will be required to use the myYC Portal to register, add, or drop classes online at http:// my.yc.edu/. First-time students will need to create a log-on username and password. Course Withdrawal: If you wish to drop the course, please make a student-initiated withdrawal or ask me to make a facultyinitiated withdrawal. I will not automatically drop you for missing classes. If you have not withdrawn by the student-initiated drop date, you will receive the grade earned in the course at the end of the semester. Academic Integrity: Honesty in academic work is a central element of the learning environment. The presentation of another individuals work as ones own or the act of seeking unfair academic advantage through cheating, plagiarism or other dishonest means are violations of the Colleges Student Code of Conduct. Definitions of plagiarism, cheating, and violation of copyright and penalties for violation are available in the Yavapai College Student Code of Conduct. Student Code of Conduct: Respect for the rights of others and for the College and its property are fundamental expectations for every student. The Code of Conduct outlines behavioral expectations, and explains the process for responding to allegations of student misconduct. Students are expected to respond and write in a professional and appropriate manner when activities are assigned to create scenarios, discuss opinions, present on a selected subject, or post to the web board. Inappropriate language or objectionable material will not be tolerated and could result in disciplinary measures and/or a failing grade for the class. Web link for the Student Code of Conduct http://www.yc.edu/content/studentaffairs/scc/default.htm. Internet Downloading: Yavapai College technological equipment and resources must be used in accordance with the Copyright Guidelines. Use of Yavapai College equipment and resources to illegally copy, download, access, print or store copyrighted material or download pornographic material is strictly prohibited. For example, file swapping of copyrighted material such as music or movies is strictly prohibited. Users found to violate this policy will have their privileges to use Yavapai College technological equipment and resources revoked. Course mentoring: Contact the course instructor during office hours, through e-mail or phone, or at the beginning/ending of a class session to arrange for additional course assistance. Many student support services are also available to assist students in successful course completion. Disability Resources: Yavapai College is committed to providing educational support services to students with documented disabilities. Accommodations for a student must be arranged by the student through the Disability Resources Coordinator: 928.634.6563).