Ceramics

Student Built Fast Fire Wood Kiln

The Ceramics Program offers students the opportunity to explore a variety of building techniques from hand-built sculptural construction and throwing on a potter’s wheel to making plaster molds and slip casting. The students achieve a technical understanding of the material by mixing their own clays and glazes and firing a variety of kilns. Students are simultaneously encouraged to experiment and to develop their visual and conceptual skills.

The Department of Art and Design has a fully equipped ceramics studio with materials that allow for making and firing every type of clay body from earthenware to porcelain. There are multiple electric kilns plus two gas kilns, one large enough for single pieces up to 4 feet tall, and a fast fire wood kiln. There is at least one nationally or internationally known visiting artist per year on a rotating schedule of potters, sculptors and slip casters, often these are linked to an exhibition of the artist’s work in the Baum Gallery. Recent visitors include Joe Page, Justin Novak, Lisa Orr, Jeff Oestrich, Tony Hepburn, Tomio Fujita, Gina Bobrowski, Heather Alexander, Curt Lacrosse, Jeannie Hulen and Mike Jabbur.

The studio atmosphere is one of exploration, excitement, hard work and fun. Many topics are covered: from the technical — mixing our own clays and glazes and firing a range of kilns at a variety of temperatures, to the conceptual — idea-based projects that push students to think deeply and creatively about their reasons for making and their aesthetic choices. The ceramics studio is a community space that is filled with creative energy and students committed to exploring their artistic identities.

Degree Requirements

BFA Major in Studio Art (83 hours of Art)

The degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) requires successful completion of 120 hours, whose required components include (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see UCA Core requirements and note that ART 2325, 2335, or 2336—required for Art majors and minors—fulfills the LD UCA Core requirement in Critical Analysis, Fine Arts/Humanities) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (again, see UCA Core requirements); (2) 83 hours of art and design courses in an approved BFA major in Studio Art and emphasis degree plan as described below; (3) and electives to bring total credit hours to 120. Art and design courses must follow a prerequisite structure. A minor is not required. This degree may require more than the normal eight semesters to complete. Students with a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 3.25 major GPA on a minimum of 24 hours of art may apply for acceptance to the BFA program after completing the Major Advancement Portfolio Review (MAP). Students are strongly encouraged to follow the semester-by-semester structure in the published BFA Academic Map. As such, this document is to be used as a checksheet to evaluate the student’s progress through the degree in a course-by-course manner.

In order to complete the state-mandated minimum number of hours for core requirements in general education, art majors are required to complete a Humanities course in either the Diversity category or in the Responsible Living category.

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