PERK
CERAMICS and SCULPTURE: FIA 101; 201
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
2012-13 Course Outline – Jean Thobaben
101 - This full-credit upper school course in three-dimensional artwork is designed as an
introductory-level studio course and has no prerequisite. Students of all abilities and experience are
welcome. The majority of projects are completed in clay, although occasional forays into other 3-D
forms and materials may be included. Students experience a variety of forming methods, are
introduced to the work of well-known artists, and work both independently and collaboratively.
Sensitivity to the materials and to aesthetic design and the imaginative use of materials are expected.
Instruction is by lecture, critique, and demonstration of procedures and skills.
201 - Advanced Ceramics and Sculpture is an upper school course taught in tandem with the
introductory-level course. Continuing to develop and refine their skills, students have many
opportunities for individual investigation of both form and materials. They develop a series of at
least three related pieces culminating in an opportunity to display their works in the Schumo Gallery.
Goals:
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The student will work in a variety of art materials and techniques.
The student will practice the processes involved in making a work of art.
The student will be introduced to the artwork of well-known artists.
The student will work independently to solve creative problems.
The student will work collaboratively with other students.
The student will improve the ability to talk and write about art through an understanding of
the vocabulary of art.
The student will develop a better awareness of his personal interests and abilities in 3dimensional art forms.
The student will improve his ability to make judgments about his own and other’s works of
art.
Level Two students will develop a concentration. (A series of related works.)
Assessment: Alphabetic grades will be submitted to the studies office on a regular basis. These
grades are arrived at based on the following standards:
Critiques of assignments are important to the progress of each individual in the class, and to the
success of the course itself. The critique fosters development of an ability to verbalize visual
concepts. Learning to talk and write about the visual will both help you to articulate your thoughts
and learn to see actively. Students must learn to accept constructive criticism as a means of growth
and, at the same time, offering suggestions to others in a mature and supportive way.
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Quality of completed assignments: includes visual and intellectual innovation. Original and
self-confident approaches to each assignment will be evaluated.
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Technical accomplishment includes the use of materials and tools. This includes thrift,
respect for tools and proper clean up of both tools and work areas.
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Attention to details of presentation. Artworks are well crafted and neatly presented for
review. All artwork should be kept clean and neat, stored in an appropriate place and
submitted to the appropriate location when specified.
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PERK
CERAMICS and SCULPTURE: FIA 101; 201
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
2012-13 Course Outline – Jean Thobaben
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Work Ethic and Due dates. Projects should be completed within a specified time frame.
Students must use their studio time productively. Projects will be due by the posted deadlines
(most often before the end of a marking period).
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Artistic integrity includes understanding copyright laws and plagiarism issues. Additionally
students must be respectful of other student’s artworks, tools and workspaces.
Materials and Tools: Perkiomen School provides a range of materials and tools for student use.
The cost of these materials is included in tuition. Students who want special materials outside those
provided must purchase those supplies from outside sources. In some cases, we can arrange for such
purchases. There is no text book for the class.
Plagiarism:
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The school has a clearly stated policy towards plagiarism of any kind. Other people’s
intellectual and creative property must be respected.
Your written work should demonstrate original thinking, not a restatement of other people’s
ideas. References must be (cited).
On the following pages is a “Trimester-at-a-glance” chart. We recommend posting it by
your desk or work station.
TRIMESTERS-AT-A-GLANCE
FALL TERM - 1st Trimester
1st Cycle- September 
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Wk 1
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Wk 2
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The goal of the fall term is mastery of the basic hand building techniques used in ceramic
construction.
Students must master each project before moving on to the next.
The topics below serve as a guide. The teacher reserves the right to update the schedule
according to the talents and interests of the class.
Teacher based instruction - Class expectations. Introduction of basic ceramics materials.
Clays, glazes, Kilns
Project: Students will begin basic pinch pots. “Open” and “closed” forms
Proper clean-up and care of the studio space is an important component of the grade
each marking period!
Clay is messy and students must be aware of the shared studio spaces.
Lesson- Understanding Clay and Firing
Make your own “stamping” tools.
Project: Simple slab plaque. Surface decoration, incising, using slip, sprigging.
Identifying (labeling) your piece properly is part of your grade.
When you have completed a piece, it must be properly incised with your name or initials and
placed on the proper shelf to dry. This is known as greenware.
Artworks not labeled will be thrown away!
The slab plaque must have a means for hanging.
Plaques missing these key elements will be reduced in grade.
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PERK
CERAMICS and SCULPTURE: FIA 101; 201
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
2012-13 Course Outline – Jean Thobaben
Wk 3
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Wk 4
History Lesson- Early clay forms, native American cultures and low fire kilns. This presentation
will inspire the next project.
Lesson: Introduction to coil building- Video about Maria Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo
Project: Coil Built Pot inspired by Native American designs.
Remember to properly wrap and seal your project to keep it workable.
If you allow your piece to dry out, you will need to start all over again!
Coil building – larger scale coil vessel.
Understanding proportion. Balancing neck, body and foot.
 Teachers will ‘fire” the kiln when a sufficient number of pinch pots and plaques are bone dry.
Wk 5
Continue working on coiled vessel project.
4 days Planning a surface design that complements your pot’s shape.
Do your planning on paper! “Thinking about it” does not count when we are doing grades.
We need to see evidence of planning.
 As pieces are removed from the kiln they are known as bisque ware.
 The first firing is known as the bisque fire. The pieces are partially vitrified.
Wk 6
Complete surface design of coiled pot. Glaze any bisque ware you have waiting.
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The teachers will do a glaze fire when enough pieces have been properly glazed.
Note: No glaze should appear on the bottom of the pieces.
Pieces with glaze on the bottom will not be fired.
2nd Cycle - October - November
Wk 7
Project : Slab construction, review slipping and attaching leather hard forms.
Lesson : Understanding Glazing – the chemistry of the fire
Project: Simple slab Mug. With features- “Toby Mugs”
QUIZ
 Correct slab construction includes invisible seams and handles that do not come off.
 Pieces that do not meet these standards will receive lowered grades.
Wk 9
Planning a larger slab vessel with lid. The “Toby Mug” is fast and fun. While you are
completing it, you should start planning a larger vessel. Consider its’ function before you design!
Project: Large Slab vessel with lid.
Wk 10 Continue working on larger slab vessel.
Continue glazing earlier pieces as they emerge from the bisque fire.
 Students who complete assignments early may request an independent assignment.
Wk 11 Complete your slab vessel.
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Glazing of bisque fired pieces will be done as firings are complete.
Glaze application will occur at the same time as new projects are constructed.
While spontaneous critiques may occur at any time.
Formal critiques will take place as groups of projects emerge from the glaze fire.
Critiques: plaques and coil pots, and toby mugs.
Wk 12 Lesson: Introductory slide show for Animal Sculpture project.
Planning Ahead. Return to school after break with a plan for your animal sculpture.
Exams - 4 Days – Students will take a Vocabulary and Master Skills Test during the exam period.
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PERK
CERAMICS and SCULPTURE: FIA 101; 201
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
2012-13 Course Outline – Jean Thobaben
WINTER TERM
1st Cycle – November - December – January
Wk 1
4 dys
Projects: Animal sculptures. This project is well suited to this time period “between” two
school breaks. Use combined techniques, which you have already learned.
Mastery is achieved through practice.
Project: Animal Sculptures
 Aesthetics: Glazing. Natural tones VS primary colored glazes. Which is appropriate?
Wk 2 Continue building animal sculpture project.
Apply Glazes to large slab vessel.
Begin to consider refinement of form.
Is your piece meant to look “rustic” or sophisticated and elegant?
Your sculpture MUST be hollow. If it is a closed form, allow for small air vents.
QUIZ
Wk 3 Continue building animal sculpture project. Be sure any surface elements and textures are
clean and crisp. Don’t forget to sign your working before leaving it to dry.
Critiques: Large Slab vessels
Wk 4 Animal sculptures must be complete before departing for the long break.
3 dys Pieces left in bins will dry out and become unworkable over a long vacation!
The “Notable Artist” project:
 During the winter term students will research and prepare a PowerPoint presentation about a
notable 3-D artist or craftsperson.
 This artist will also serve as a springboard or inspiration for the spring term “choice” project.
 Students must declare their artist when they return from the long holiday break.
 This is a long-term commitment, through several marking periods. Choose carefully!
LONG HOLIDAY BREAK
Wk 5 Fill out the required “Notable Artist” worksheet and submit to teacher. Research may be done
“between” projects or on your own time (homework).
Glaze your animal sculptures as they emerge from the kiln!
Lesson: History of Chess. Slide show and explanation of the require figures in a chess set.
Design on Paper! Research and find examples that you like.
Project: Construction of a Chess Set
 The goal of the project is making a series of objects in the same style and dimensions.
 Once you decide if your pieces are going to be traditional or unconventional, your goal is
consistency and refinement.
 The pieces MUST sit flat and even on a chessboard!
Wk 6 Continue working on your chess set.
2nd Cycle – January - February
Wk 7
Wk 8
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Complete construction of chess sets.
Be sure to mark EVERY piece clearly in case the individual pieces are separated during firing.
Bonus Project – Make a cool cardboard box for your chess pieces.
Share evidence of research on your Notable Artist project with teacher.
History Lesson: Masks - exaggeration and abstraction in many cultures.
Lesson: Building an armature to support your mask.
Class time to research and design your mask.
Design deadline. You may need to do some of this as homework!
Project: Original mask inspired by cultures around the world.
Refinement and mastery is important. Don’t forget the skills you have already mastered!
Keep you structure as thin as possible. This project is large and tends to get very heavy.
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PERK
CERAMICS and SCULPTURE: FIA 101; 201
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
2012-13 Course Outline – Jean Thobaben
Remember, the masks are meant to hang on a wall. Don’t forget to include large enough holes to
wire the mask for hanging.
 Sign your work. Missing details can result in a lowered grade!
Wk 9 Glaze chess sets as they emerge from the kiln.
Continue working on mask project. You must have a visual reference for this project.
 A drawing or photo is essential.
Begin assembling Notable Artist research into a slide show to share with the class.
 Teachers will fire chess sets as they are glazed.
 Reminder. No glaze on bottom. Sand bottoms to assure even stand.
Wk 10 Continue glazing chess sets.
Continue working on mask project.
Continue assembling Notable Artist research into a slide show to share with the class.
Wk 11 Finish assembling Notable Artist research into a slide show to share with the class.
Critiques: Chess Sets
Wk 12 Submit Notable Artist project to the teacher. We will share with the class after the break.
4 dys
Mask project MUST be complete before end of term.
 Remember, Mask projects must be put out to dry before you depart.
 If you depart early- your work is still due. Plan accordingly. Nothing in the bins over break.
 Planning Ahead: Use this opportunity to collect materials for spring projects.
 Based on your research and planning, determine if you need additional materials.
Have a great Spring Break
SPRING TERM
1st Cycle –March - April
Capstone (Choice) Projects
Planning Ahead:
 Capstone (Choice) Projects are determined by your earlier choice of a notable artist.
 This will also determine if your final project is a vessel or sculpture.
 There must be a visual connection between your work and the work of your artist.
Wk 1
History Lesson: Sculptural Modernism- simplification of form.
4 dys Begin planning of capstone projects.
Masks from the winter term should be glazed as they emerge from the kiln.
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Wk 2
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Review your final “notable artists” presentations with the teacher.
We will begin presenting to the class, a couple of days each week until they are complete.
Finish Glazing masks.
Complete plans for capstone project.
Presentations.
Capstone projects do NOT need to be done in clay.
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PERK
CERAMICS and SCULPTURE: FIA 101; 201
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
2012-13 Course Outline – Jean Thobaben
 Discuss with the teacher the best way for you to achieve your goal.
Wk 3 Begin construction of Capstone projects.
Presentations.
Critique Masks
Wk 4
Continue work on your capstone projects.
 Take time for mini-critiques with your teacher and fellow classmates.
Wk 5
Continue work on your capstone projects.
2nd
Cycle – April – May
Wk 6 Continue work on your capstone projects.
 Use down time for personal clean up. Take work home or arrange for storage (limited).
Wk 7
Continue work on your capstone projects. If you are working in clay, you need to wrap it up so
you can dry, fire and glaze.
 Be sure to allow for drying time! Larger projects need more time and we can’t rush them.
 Students may submit artwork for the Annual Women’s Club Art Show
Wk 8
Finishing and refining capstone projects.
Final Bisque Firing
Wk 9
Wk
10
Seniors must complete all work before graduation.
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Final Glaze Firing
The last two days of class will be used to collect and assemble all student artwork into
boxes for removal to home or storage.
All students MUST participate in putting the studios in order for the summer break.
Final Critiques during the exam period!
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