Division: Upper School

Department: Fine and Performing Arts: Visual Arts

Course Title/Code: Ceramics I: Hand/Art 441 

Course Description: 

Ceramics is an ancient and beloved form of artistic expression. Clay has been used by civilizations for hundreds of years not only to make utilitarian wares but also to create ceramic art works. Some of the best works we have of ancient people are preserved for us in their clay work. All human beings are born with the ability and desire to make art. Slowly over time we have lose those abilities and replaced them with insecurities about making art and understanding art. 

Ceramics I, hand building is designed to give the student an introduction in creating works out of clay. Using simple building techniques using coils, slab and pinch pots the students will create a variety of projects. Through these projects the student will build confident in their skills to achieve a greater knowledge of the working of clay.

The greatest value lies in the doing, in making of the work and less in the final product. It’s the time spent enjoying the clay and the moment of modeling that enriches you. As you spend more time working with clay you will become more proficient with the techniques and you will understand the clay better. 

Goals: 

The goal of this class is for the student to develop an understanding of the ceramic arts and the role it has played throughout history and the world. To enjoy working with clay. It is important for you to enjoy the materials and develop a curiosity about clay art work and how it applies to your life. You will be expected to embrace challenging tasks which require persistence and creativity. Become a risk taker by exploring and thinking outside of the box. 

Skills:

Student will learn basic clay building skills to create their art work.

Students will gain a work artistic vocabulary of ceramics.

Students will develop the ability to express themselves through the use of clay as a media.

Students will develop their skills of creative problem solving.

Students will learn to understand and appreciate three-dimensional works of art produced throughout art history. 

Assessment: 

In class projects.

Sketch assignments.

Participation.  

Grading: 

 A: Excellent/ Commendable Quality

    -              It shows obvious evidence of thinking and care.

-          It has some sense of inventiveness and/or imagination.

-           Materials are used well. Craftsmanship is strong.

-          There may be evidence of experimentation and/or risk-taking.

-          Composition is purposeful. 

B: Good quality.

-          It is fairly confident.

-          The level of the work may be inconsistent, but the work is strong enough to offset its weaknesses.

-          There is successful engagement with some aspects of technique and/or materials.

-          Most technical aspects are successful; materials are generally handled well.

-          Composition is generally purposeful. 

C: Moderate quality.

-Work shows a sense of real effort, but problems are not successfully resolved.

Technique may be erratic, with little or no sense of challenge.

In contrast to work that receives a D, there is at least some sense of artistic decision-making. 

D: Poor quality.

-There is little, if any, evidence of thinking.

Technique is very poor.

Work shoes a lack of awareness of tools/ media.

Solutions tend to be trite.

Composition is very poor, or doesn’t appear to have been considered. 

F: Incomplete/ Missing. 

Tentative list of projects will be presented in class.

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