The University of Tulsa Ceramics (BA, BFA, MA, MFA)
The University of Tulsa Ceramics Program offers all aspects of hand building, wheel work, glaze
and surface application and kiln firing. The program encourages students to explore and push
the perimeters of clay and discover new applications for traditional forms of expression. Our goal
is to equip students with a strong technical and aesthetic background as the basis for making
ceramic work. Students are encouraged to bring both art and craft together producing clay work
that stretches the imagination and expresses a personal vision. The program offers students a
curriculum that introduces them to both historic and contemporary ceramics.
The ceramic facility has a large community space for both undergraduate and graduate students.
The glaze and clay mixing areas are well stocked with large quantities of dry materials for low fire,
mid fire and high fire work. There are a variety of kilns both gas and electric, including a large 125
cubic ft downdraft car kiln for firing large sculptural work. There is an outdoor courtyard and
central shop that are connected to the ceramics area and offer students an opportunity to work on
large scale projects. The graduate studios are located in close proximity to the main ceramics
studio, central shop and outside area. There is driveway access to the facility where students
may load and move materials and artwork. The graduate studio spaces are secure and private
with 24 hour access.
The MFA program is a small mentoring program. There are 2-3 full time graduate students in the
ceramics program each year. The MFA program offers graduate assistantships available each
year. The positions offer students a monthly stipend and 9 graduate tuition credits a semester
(18 per year). The positions are renewable each year based on availability and performance.
The position requires 20 hours a week assisting in a department area. There are work-study
positions available in the ceramics area for undergraduate BFA students.
The ceramics area hosts at least one visiting artist every year. The following artists have lectured
and demonstrated in the program, Gina Bobrowski, Eddie Dominguez, Laurie Spencer, Richard
Notkin, Cary Esser, Don Reitz, Patti Warashina, Lisa Orr, Arthur Gonzalez, Virginia Scotchie,
Judy Onofrio, Beth Cavener Stichter, Tom Coleman, Adrian Arleo, Zemer Peled, Rebecca
Hutchinson, Angel Rogelio Oliva, Rick Hirsch, Ken Baskin, Scott Meyer and Sunkoo Yuh. The
Alexandre Hogue Gallery has also hosted solo exhibitions by Eddie Dominguez, Virginia Scotchie
and Rebecca Hutchinson, and the Crucible Exhibition by Rick Hirsch, Ken Baskin and Scott
Meyer. The School of Art also hosts a biannual national juried ceramic exhibition “Red Heat:
Contemporary Work in Clay” in the Alexandre Hogue Gallery.
The School of Art offers travel opportunities for students. Ceramic students have travelled to
Kansas City, Mo, Dallas, TX, Bentonville, AR and Oklahoma City, OK to see ceramic art in
permanent and private exhibitions and collections. There are also biannual trips to NCECA
(National Council on the Education of the Ceramic Arts), including Kansas City, MO, Indianapolis,
IN, Louisville, KY, Phoenix, AZ, St Petersburg, FL, Houston, TX and Providence, RI.
Locally, both the Philbrook and Gilcrease Museums offer students the opportunity to study
important southwestern and contemporary ceramic collections. Tulsa is also home to Oklahoma’s
only gallery for contemporary craft, 108 Contemporary located in the Brady Arts District. The
Brady Arts District is a vibrant arts area a few miles from the TU campus. Living Arts Gallery,
Tulsa Artist Coalition, Philbrook Downtown, Henry Zarrow Center for Art and Education and
AHHA (Arts and Humanities Hardesty Art Center) are all located in this area. Students are
encouraged to attend openings, lectures and events on and off campus, in the city of Tulsa and
beyond.
MFA and BFA students in ceramics have been successful in finding opportunities beyond the
program as: Graduate Students, Ceramic Art Residents, University Faculty, K-12 Public and
Private School Teachers, Art Therapists, Non Profit Art Executive Director, Non Profit Gallery
Staff, Museum Staff, Museum Education Teachers, Theatre Costume Design, Museum Art
Education Program Director, Creative Entrepreneurial Business Owner and Studio Artists. Most
notably an international graduate student from Palestine was awarded a Ford Foundation
Fellowship to study ceramics at The University of Tulsa. As a result of his study at TU, the first
BFA program in ceramics was established in Palestine upon his return home to a faculty position
at An-Najah National University.
Facility/Equipment
Large main room-14 Brent electric wheels
-Hand building area 6 large tables
-2 extruders
-Slab roller
-Dry Box
-Damp Boxes
Kiln room
-1 Geil downdraft kiln
-1 Alpine updraft gas kiln
-5 Skutt electric kilns
-1 Skutt Oval Electric kiln
-2 Skutt test kilns
Clay mixing room
- Extensive fully stocked dry material lab
-2 Bluebird mixers
-1 Soldner mixer
Outdoor Courtyard
-Covered outdoor working area
-1 Laguna Raku kiln
-125 cubic ft. outdoor downdraft car kiln for large sculpture work
Glaze mixing room
- Extensive fully stocked dry material lab
-Variety of large and small triple beam balance scales
-Electronic scales
-Spray booth
Central Shop
-woodshop
-mold making area
-welding capabilities
FabLab (within ½ mile of campus)
-Wood and plastic CNC machines
-Lazer cutting machines
-3d printers
Faculty
Whitney Forsyth, Associate Professor of Art
BFA- Oklahoma State University
MFA-New Mexico State University
918-631-3700
whitney-forsyth@utulsa.edu
www.whitneyforsyth.com
Application InformationUniversity of Tulsa School of Art
www.utulsa.edu/academics/departments-schools/art/
The University of Tulsa Graduate School
www.utulsa.edu/academics/graduate-programs/
800 S Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74104-9700