Ceramics 1; Arts 120 01; Summer 2014
Adjunct Professor: Rebecca M. Verrill
Email: rverrill@smccme.edu
5:00pm-8:05pm Tues. & Thurs
Portland Pottery: 118 Washington Ave
Office hours by appointment only
Course Syllabus
Course Description
This course focuses on the essential concepts of pottery, ceramic sculpture, and vessels. Students will
build a working knowledge of ceramic techniques and methods to create both sculptural objects and
utilitarian vessels through the exploration of handbuilding, wheel-throwing and glazing.
Objectives
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To have a thorough working knowledge of ceramic techniques, vocabulary, methods and
materials.
To experience creative problem solving and decision making.
To develop an appreciation and understanding of the ceramic/creative process.
To demonstrate proficiency in the production of ceramic objects.
To be exposed to both contemporary and historical ceramics through books, slide lectures and
personal research.
To produce a range of creative work that demonstrates understanding of the above five
objectives.
Requirements
Throughout this 12 week semester, I expect you to be dedicated to this class. In addition to finishing
assigned projects on time, you are expected to actively participate in discussions and critiques and
contribute to the maintenance of a clean and healthy studio. Class time will be dedicated to working on
projects, class critiques, demonstrations and slide lectures. It will be necessary to spend time outside of
class to finish assigned projects.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. After your third absence I reserve the right to drop your grade a letter for
each missed class. This class is very demo intensive and it is very laborious for me to repeat
demonstrations. Please try not to miss a class when a new assignment is being introduced. You are
responsible for getting handouts, notes and other missed information in the event of your absence.
Please talk with me if a problem presents itself.
Sketchbook
There is no textbook for this class. However, you will be required to keep a sketchbook. This will serve as
a tactile record of your semester. (Think of the book as a piece of art, a work in progress.) Your
sketchbook should contain mockups for artwork, research, thoughts, comments, questions, drawings,
surface treatments, response to slides, videos, artists, critiques etc.. Sketchbooks will contribute to your
final grade and will be collected and graded at the end of the semester.
Art Work
Assignments must be complete and on time. If you miss a class the day an assignment is due, I will
expect to see your finished work the next class. I reserve the right to drop your assignment a letter
grade for every class your assignment is late.
Cleanliness
We work in a communal space. Please leave the room cleaner than you found it. Forgetting or
disregarding this is disrespectful. You are allowed to work in the studio anytime Portland Pottery has
practice time available but you MUST clean up after yourself.
Engagement
Take an active interest in the subject matter, your work and the work of your fellow students. If you
don’t have an active interest, you will need to develop one. This means that you have opinions, and you
express them. This is an essential part of an arts education.
Grading
This class will be fun, but it will not be an easy ‘A’. An ‘A’ is earned through excellence in all areas of the
course throughout the entire semester. A ‘C’ is earned by meeting all required criteria. Zeros will be
given for work not submitted.
Grades will be based on successful completion of assignments, craftsmanship, creativity, effort, and
technical proficiency.
Assignment # 1- 25 points
Assignment # 2- 25 points
Assignment # 3- 25 points
Attendance, overall participation in critiques and classroom discussion, active participation in studio
maintenance, and maintained sketchbooks will make up the remaining 25 points.
Open Studio Time
Portland Pottery’s studio hours are:
Monday - Thursday 9 am- 9 pm (the door is locked promptly at 9 pm)
Friday & Saturday 9 am- 5 pm (the door is locked promptly at 5 pm)
*It is imperative that you respect closing time at the studio. Give yourself ample time to clean up the
studio and put away your work safely. Doors will be locked whether you are ready or not.
You are allowed to work in the studio at any time Portland Pottery has “practice” time. However, the
studio occasionally presents workshops, visiting artists and exhibitions that may affect open studio time.
These times will be posted and mostly take place on the weekends. Please take note and adjust your
schedule accordingly. This will not be an acceptable excuse for unfinished work.
Materials
Portland Pottery will supply you with a starter tool kit, 75lbs clay, glazes and firings. This will be covered
with your $135.00 lab fee, which is payable at Portland Pottery on the first day of class or at the campus
bookstore (bring receipt to first class to show proof of purchase)
Additional Materials
Apron
Pencil
Spray bottle
Small bucket/box for your tools
Texture, shells, rocks etc.
Small Surform/rasp
Utility Brush
Nitrile or rubber gloves for glazing
Spiral Bound Drawing Pad/journal
Metal straight edge/optional
Spray bottle
Plastic bags/ flexible sheet plastic for covering work
Brushes for glazing
Towel
Local art supply stores:
Art Mart
775-4244
554 Congress St, in the Maine College of Art’s main building.
Artist & Craftsman
772-7272
540 Deering Ave
A.C. Moore/Michaels:
South Portland by the Maine Mall
Many helpful materials may also be found at area hardware stores
GPACU
Greater Portland Alliance of Colleges and Universities is comprised of The University of Southern Maine,
SMCC, University of New England, St. Josephs, Kaplan University, and Maine College of Art.
Though very different in size and mission, these six schools created an alliance as a means to enrich
learning opportunities for students and faculty, expand intercollegiate cooperation, and enhance the
cultural and educational quality of life in Southern Maine. Through important programs such as crossregistration, shared library borrowing, student health services, and faculty grants, GPACU benefits
students, staff, and teachers, and improves the effectiveness and efficiency of its participating schools.
Maine College of Art’s Library is located at 522 Congress Street.
MECA Library hours are: Mon- Thurs. 8 am- 8 pm, Friday 8-5 pm & Saturday 12-5 pm
Free Admission to the Portland Museum of Art: The SMCC Library has a free admission card you can
check out. The PMA is free to all on Fridays from 5-9PM.
Other
No ringing, vibrating, blinking or otherwise detectable cell phones during class. Headphones are fine as
long as you remove them when important announcements or teaching moments are happening. Music
in the studio makes it difficult for me to teach.
Online Art Resources
http://www.artchive.com
A great resource for locating images and information for the most well known artists. Click on the Mona
Lisa icon and you’ll get a scroll list of artists to choose from. It’s worth all the pop-ups.
http://www.artcyclopedia.com
A resource for information on well-known artists.
http://www.artlex.com
The art dictionary. Great resource for defining terms and explaining techniques.
http://studiochalkboard.evansville.edu/
Excellent explanations of various drawing techniques including perspective and value.
http://www.umvaonline.com
The Union of Maine Visual Artists. Great resource for information and images of contemporary Maine
artwork.
Ceramic Art Daily, online
Ceramic Monthly, periodical
Ceramic Technical, periodical
Plagiarism Statement
Adherence to ethical academic standards is obligatory. Cheating is a serious offense, whether it consists
of taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive
credit. Taking and using the ideas or writings of another person without clearly and fully crediting the
source is plagiarism and violates the academic code as well as the Student Code of Conduct. If it is
suspected that a student in any course in which s/he is enrolled has knowingly committed such a
violation, the faculty member should refer the matter to the College’s Disciplinary Officer and
appropriate action will be taken under the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include suspension
from the course and a failing grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal these actions to the
Disciplinary Committee under the terms outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
End-of-Course Evaluation
In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete evaluations for each course
attended at SMCC. Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student portal
site. Students can access the course evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end of classes.
The deadline for submission of evaluations occurs 24 hours after the last day of classes each semester.
Instructors will announce when the online course evaluation is available.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notification
Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer.
For more information, please call 207-741-5798.
If you have a disability and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the
programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the Disability Services Coordinator,
Mark Krogman, who can be reached at 207-741-5629 (TDD 207-741-5667). Further information about
services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request.
The Ten Golden Rules of Ceramics
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Clay must be tightly covered up with a plastic bag or sheet plastic to keep it from drying out.
This applies to works in progress and moist clay.
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Clay dust can be harmful if you are exposed to it for long periods of time, so keep your area
clean, clay scraps off the floor and clean with water and a sponge.
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Clay can be no thicker than your thumb.
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In order for clay to stick together it MUST be scored and slipped together while the clay is moist
or leather hard.
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Wedge clay to remove air bubbles, achieve uniform consistency, and to line up the particles of
clay.
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Trapped air can cause clay to explode. So hollow out sculptural forms and put needle holes
from the bottom so air can escape.
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Don't glaze the bottom of a piece, to prevent it from ruining kiln furniture and your work.
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Always wash the piece before glazing.
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Always handle your project with two hands at all times. In other words BE CAREFUL it’s your
hard work.
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Do not handle another person’s work without their permission.
Course Outline*
Week 1
- Introduction, syllabus, materials
- Pinch and coil building demonstration
- Introduce Handbuilding Assignment #1
Week 2
- Sgraffito, demonstration
- Slab building demonstration
Week 3
-Workweek
Week 4
- Throwing demonstration
- Introduce Wheel Throwing Assignment #2
Week 5
-Workweek
-Glazing Demonstration for Handbuilding Project
Week 6
- Midterm Critique
- Throwing demonstration
Week 7
- Introduce Pouring Vessel Assignment #3
-Wheel throwing, handle and spout demonstration
Week 8
-Workweek
Week 9 –
- Wheel throwing demonstration
Week 10 –
-Workweek
- End of Wet Work
Week 11
-Final Bisque and Glazing
Week 12
-Final Critique
*please note that this is a working draft; outline is subject to change at instructor’s discretion.