Summer Session I 2010 College of Southern Maryland
Art 2240(85684) Ceramic Sculpture
May 19-June 30
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 5:45-9:00
Instructor: Alice M. Yutzy
Home phone: 301-932-9342; Cell phone: 301-751-9931
ayutzy@comcast.net
www.yutzyceramics.com
Office hours: 5:15-5:45, 9:00-9:30 or by appointment
Course Description
This course is designed for the student that wishes to utilize ceramic sculpture to
create three dimensional forms. A variety of basic ceramic sculpture techniques and
design elements will be explored and used to express both representational and
nonrepresentational pieces. The research of historic and contemporary trends in ceramic
sculpture will be studied to develop an awareness of the roles that ceramic media play in
our culture and the global perspective. Students will learn to fire their sculptures in the
electric kiln and apply appropriate surface finishes to accentuate the aesthetic nature of
each piece. Assessment will be based upon adherence to prescribed assignment
guidelines, evidence of unique personalized approach to their artwork, and fulfillment of
project objectives.
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Course Objectives
Students will develop and demonstrate their knowledge of three-dimensional design
concepts with an emphasis on design elements that are common to all media.
Students will demonstrate critical judgment and effective oral communication skills
when discussing, describing, and analyzing works of art.
Students will research both historic and contemporary trends in ceramic sculpture to
demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the roles ceramic media play in
our culture and the global art perspective.
Students will demonstrate growth in aesthetic awareness, vocabulary, construction
techniques, and creative use of form.
Text: (required) Nigrosh, Leon I. Sculpting Clay. Worcester, Massachusetts: Davis
Publications, Inc. 1992.
The ceramic studio will be open for your use weekdays and Saturdays during the hours
that the fine arts building is open as there are no other classes in this studio during
Summer Session I. Please sign in on the sign in sheet provided on the bulletin board.
You are encouraged to take advantage of extra studio time to develop and improve your
ceramic sculpture skills. Ceramic sculpture takes patience and commitment.
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Demonstrated, Required Art Production Assignments
Scheduled group criticism will be an integral part of each of these art
production assignments.
*students must create a minimum of 3 major pieces, not including the
introductory maquettes
1. Maquette Assignment(5) 3-dimensional
Students will create 5 maquettes (small models) focusing on exploration of
form, use of three dimensional design elements, and interpretation of
representational and nonrepresentational modes of expression. Two
maquettes must be representational, two nonobjective, and the last
maquettes will be “student choice” of subject matter and representational
style.
2. Solid Construction(1) 3-dimensional
Students will use one of their maquettes as motivation for creating a solid
construction to be hollowed out. Students may utilize additive, manipulative,
or compression techniques for this piece.
3. Hollow Building(1) 3-dimensional
Students will utilize one of their maquettes as motivation for the creation of a
hollow built form. Students will be presented with the option of using the
following techniques: piece meal (patch technique) coil, slab, draped mold or
press mold.
4. Representational Piece(1) 3-dimensional
Students will create a representational piece either utilizing abstraction or
realism. Subject matter choices are the human figure, animal imagery, still
life or landscape objects.
5. Independent Assignment(if time permits)(1) 3-dimensional or relief
Students may complete 1 additional assignment choosing from among the
following techniques:
 Sectional: sculpture built in pieces that fit together with a flange
system
 Multiple piece ensemble
 Relief Sculpture/mural
 Mixed media construction
 Installation Piece
 Sculptural piece utilizing the potter’s wheel
 Life or body cast sculptural ensemble
 Historical or contemporary study of a famous ceramic artist
 Narrative or social commentary study
 Portrait Bust or torso
 Alternative firing experimentation: pit, raku, or saggar
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Additional Assignments
Take Home Readings: Five “take home quizzes” will be given from the text
during this class.
Final Exam: Based on ceramic sculpture vocabulary and theory, design
concepts, practice and notes taken during the class. This exam will take place on
June 29th.
Research Paper: A three page in depth research paper must be completed on a
well-known ceramic sculptor. An image or illustration of the artist’s work must
be presented with the written report. This assignment will be presented on
June 29th.
Notebook: A record of your accomplishments, reflections, and technical
information concerning each piece, notes from lectures, will be due on:
June 29th.
Notebook Requirements (due June 29th)
The student notebook must be divided into 4 sections using dividers:
 Syllabus
 Handouts/notes
 Take home readings
 Drawings of each sculpture(each drawing must include the information listed
below)
1. size of piece
2. surface treatment
3. textural effects
4. concept
5. assignment
6. outcome/reflection(after completion)
Requirements, Guidelines, and Grading Policies
Etiquette Note:
It is expected that students will be listening intently and carefully observing the
instructor’s demonstrations and lectures, or intently working on their assignment. Most
demonstrations, PowerPoints, lectures and instructions will be given at the beginning of
class, thus necessitating prompt arrival.
Cell phones (no received calls or texting during class), and non-medical electronic
devices, beepers, and personal players must be silenced during class. During the 3 hour
and 15 minute class session, students may feel free to take scheduled breaks as needed.
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Attendance:
Regular class attendance is mandatory. Arrival to class on time is imperative, as
demonstrations and lectures are at the beginning of class. More than 3 unexcused
absences will affect your grade adversely. Late arrivals and early departures will also
adversely affect your grade.
Example: 4 absences=5% off final grade
5 absences=10% off final grade, etc.
3 late arrivals or early departures=1 absence
Grading Scale:
A: 90-100; B: 80-89; C: 70-79; D: 60-69; F: Below 60
You are responsible for missed class work and securing information from missed
demonstrations and lectures. A written exam must me made up at the at the next class
you attend.
Your final grade will be determined as follows:
70% quality of finished assignments, weighted equally
10% 5 Readings, Final Test, Notebook
10% Ceramic Sculpture Research Report
10% Workshop (participation in glaze/stain- making, kiln loading, and studio clean-up)
Last Day for using wet clay: June 23rd.
Materials Use and Firing
All sculpture which is to be fired must meet a minimum level of craftsmanship as
determined by the instructor. Any work which falls below that standard will be returned
to the raw clay state. The function of the studio is educational in nature. This program
cannot support the demands on facilities and materials imposed by sculpture which is
commercially oriented. All bisqueware must be brought home at the end of the semester.
Unclaimed work will be discarded except for items selected for fundraisers. Work fired
between the semesters must be retrieved within the first three weeks of the new semester.
Studio Operation
Participation in the preparation of materials and kiln loading and unloading is
mandatory. At a minimum, each student should prepare one glaze or stain, and assist
with loading and/or unloading the kiln. Students that are more productive should
voluntarily increase their involvement in the studio operations. Students are expected to
sweep/vacuum dry spills and mop wet spills. All counters, wedging surfaces, wheels,
tables, and equipment are to be cleaned after use. As part of studio maintenance, students
are required to assist in a major studio clean-up on the last day of class.
Audit Policy
Audit students are expected to fulfill a minimum of half of the course requirements.
Failure to do so will result in “withdrawal” for grading policy. The last day to withdraw
or change status from credit to audit or vice versa is June16th.
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Tools and Materials
The department will provide clay, glazes, and major equipment. Students are
responsible for purchase and storage of their personal tools. A initial minimum purchase
list of tools and materials includes the following:
Loop tool, metal scraper(rib tool), assorted modeling tools, sgraffito or lace tool,
sponge(elephant ear preferable), sponge for classroom clean-up, fettling knife, plastic
bags for project storage, soft bristle brush, green scotch-brite scour pads, double “O” rib
tool or wooden paddle or spoon, assorted boxwood modeling tools, cloth(approximately
3ft. by 2ft. canvas, or denim), water spray bottle, a 10 in. by 10 in. piece of wood for
storage of pieces, old fork, personal texture objects, extra dust masks and gloves for
mixing glazes and clay
Academic Dishonesty
Any form of cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Submitting work as your
own, but done by another person will result in automatic failure.
Unauthorized Persons in the Workspace
Only students registered for ceramics may work in the studio. Guests are not
permitted during class time.
Important Note:
In keeping with the Guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the
White House Office of Public Engagement, and the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services the College of Southern MD has adopted the following protocol for the
expected resurgence of the H1N1 virus this fall:
“Students should not attend classes or other college events if they have the flu or a flulike illness for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever (100 degrees
Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have
a flushed appearance, or are sweating)
Absence of a fever should be determined without the use of fever-reducing
medications (any medicine containing ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen).
Such absences will be considered excused absences, provided the students notify the
faculty in advance of the absence.
Students are responsible for the material covered during the period of their absence.
Faculty may have students removed from the classroom if they are exhibiting flu-like
symptoms and refuse to leave voluntarily."
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