Art 111 – Beginning Wheel Throwing
Course Syllabus
Spring Semester 2008
Instructor: Laura Moore
Student consultation: by appointment
Home: 756-5021
Lab: 777-3689
Class meets: Mondays, 4:00 – 6:45 pm
Laura's Lab Hours: Mon & Wed 1 - 4pm
E-mail: lauraintuscarora@yahoo.com & @gmail.com
Course description, purpose & objectives: This class is intended to introduce you to the basics of
wheel thrown ceramics. We will explore basic forming techniques on the potters wheel and also
explore other fundamental construction techniques; such as handle making and building with slabs. In
addition, you will be introduced to various types of surface decorative treatments as well as the
principles of glazing and kiln firing. An emphasis will be placed on aesthetics, craftsmanship and
attention to functional and three dimensional design issues.
Required materials:
Throwing kit
Plastic, trash bags or dry-cleaning plastic
Plastic spatula (putty knife)
Plastic bucket
Small brushes
Notebook
Big Sponge
Work Clothes
Towel - Apron
Sharpie Marker
Clay – 50 lbs. of clay is included in you lab fee, additional clay can be
purchased through the registrar's office at a cost of $10 per 25 lb. bag
Attendance:
Attendance in this class is mandatory. I will be demonstrating techniques and
evaluating your work throughout the class; out-of-class book study can in no way make up for missed
demonstrations or critiques. Two or more unexcused absences will result in a full grade reduction.
Three unexcused absences will result in a failure. Students more than 15 minutes late are considered
absent.
Lab Hours:
You are also required to spend at least three hours of lab time each week on your
projects. Please keep track of the hours you spend in the lab in your notebook.
Notebook:
You will need to keep a notebook. You will be required to turn the notebook in at the
end of the semester as part of your grade. The notebook should contain sketches of your pieces both
before and after you have made them, notes taken in class, notes regarding glaze information, time
you spent in the lab and any other pertinent information as well as doodles.
Clean-up and Safety: All work areas and all equipment must be cleaned before leaving the studio –
no exceptions. It is essential to respect the studio space and the rights of other students to have a
clean working environment. A clean environment is important to our health. Clay in wet form poses no
dangers, but in dry form can be inhaled and cause lung damage. All students are responsible for
cleaning general work areas, such as sinks, as well as individual work areas. Projects and tools must
be stored properly.
Critiques: Part of the class will be evaluating our projects as a group. We will spend time discussing
aesthetic strengths of pieces, the technical aspects involved in making it, and what the student would
do differently next time. This is not intended to criticize but to give valuable feedback to the student
about how their work is seen by others and to identify what works about a piece and what doesn’t.
Student Art Show:
All art students will participate in the Student Art Show. You are required to
enter, up to 2 pieces. The delivery dates for this semester are Tues. April 15th & Weds. April 16th. The
exhibit opening will take place Tuesday, April 22nd. You are asked to bring a dish of finger food. You
are encouraged to invite guests to help celebrate the arts and your own personal growth and
successes.
Assignments
Project 1: Cylinders (6)
Project objectives:
•
learn to center clay and raise walls on the potters wheel
using the flat bottomed vessel as a starting point
these are the most basic skills needed to form vessels on the wheel
•
introduction to trimming or finishing the underside of a vessel
•
begin discussions about the relationship between aesthetics and function.
Project 2: Small Bowls (4)
Project
•
•
•
objectives:
improve technical skills by learning to make round bottomed wares
learn more trimming and finishing skills
prompt discussions regarding relationships between two or more aspects within a single piece
Project 3: Coffee Cups
Project objectives:
•
to revisit the basic cylinder with improved skills
•
begin learning to hand form handles for attachment
Project 4: Covered Jars
Project objectives:
•
learn to make plan and execute more complicated forms
•
make two items fit together and interact as both two separate items and as a single unit, both structurally
and aesthetically
Project 5: Assembly Piece - Casserole or Serving Dish
Project
•
•
•
objectives:
learn to make, plan and execute yet even more complicated forms
learn to assemble and join many parts to form a single whole piece
challenge the student's new skills with even more difficult forms.
Project 6: Raku
Project objectives:
•
to experience alternative firing techniques
Project description:
you are asked to make a piece suitable for raku firing, further discussion will ensue.
In addition to the listed projects we will also have various demonstrations. There will be other
incidental discussions during each project regarding topics such as tool use, tool making, design
issues, functional demands and decorative techniques.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Delivery date for Student Art Show....................Tuesday, April 15th & Wednesday, April 16th
Student Art Show Opening................................Tuesday, April 22nd
Pick-up Student Art Show Works.......................Friday, May 2nd @ GTA 121
FINAL and Pot Luck..........................................Monday, May 12th, 4pm
Student Evaluation
6 Cylinders
4 Small Bowls
1 Coffee Cup
1 Covered Jar
1 Assembly Piece
Raku
Notebook
Clean-up
Classroom participation
13
13
10
10
10
10
10
12
12
100 possible points;
points
points
points
points
points
points
points
points
points
for an A you must get
For a B you must get
For a C you must get
For a D you must get
Approximate Time Line
90 – 100
80 – 89
70 – 79
60 – 69
Homework
Jan 21
Martin Luther King Day - HOLIDAY
HAVE FUN
Jan 28
cylinder demo
make lots of cylinders
Feb 4
small bowl demo
look at the underside of your dishes
Feb 11
coffee cup demos
bring in your favorite coffee cup
Feb 18
PRESIDENT'S DAY - HOLIDAY
HAVE FUN
Feb 25
covered jar demos
work on assignments and notebook
Mar 3
covered jar demos
work on assignments and notebook
Mar 10
glazing demos
write it all down. try new things
Mar 17
assembly demos
work, work, work
Mar 24
SPRING BREAK
HAVE FUN
Mar 31
catch up, prepare for the end
work, work, work
Apr 7
last minute demos, finish up
LAST WEEK FOR WET WORK
Apr 14
week of Apr 14th - last week for trimming and finishing
Apr 21
week of Apr 21st - pots should be dry for final bisque firing
Apr 28
week of Apr 28th - pots should be glazed and on shelf for loading
May 5
RAKU FIRING
wear closed toed shoes
May 12
evaluation
FINAL – final critique and pot luck
bring all assignments (14 pieces) for
bring a snack to share, eat out of your own
work and enjoy the work of your fellow
students
TURN IN YOUR NOTEBOOK