Ceramics
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| Location: | Haliburton |
|---|---|
| Program Status: | Accepting applications |
| Program Code: | CER |
| Co-ordinator: | Jennifer Bain |
| Credential: | Ontario College Certificate |
| Classes Start: | September 7, 2010 |
| Tuition/ Fees: |
$3,820.75 program duration *
* Tuition and fees subject to change. |
Program Highlights
The Ceramics program engages every element of the design and creative process. It embodies technology, the materials, and the artist's message in work that can reflect the scale and scope of the human hand.
As a ceramics student, you will work with traditional tools, materials and processes in conjunction with contemporary sensibilities to create a broad array of objects, from vessels and fixtures to three-dimensional sculptures. Explore your personal style and themes as you develop the skills and techniques to design, fabricate, and finish basic ceramic forms. Design principles and drawing techniques, the creative process, technical execution and client proposals, will be emphasized throughout the program.
This 15-week program is delivered in an intensive format, and is the equivalent of two semesters of full-time studies.
, 
Word from the Workplace
"I would definitely recommend the Ceramics certificate program to anyone who has fallen in love with throwing clay on the wheel. The course gives the budding potter all the practical knowledge and inspiration needed to reach the next level and beyond. Throwing skills grow incredibly quickly and the foundations in studio management, decorating techniques, and working with plaster moulds give each student many ways to express their personal style. My skills became much stronger and more refined during the four months I spent in the intensive course."
Ruth Gauthier, Ceramics Certificate Graduate 2004
Why Choose Fleming?
This program is delivered at Fleming College’s Haliburton Campus, located in central Ontario's spectacular Haliburton Highlands region and home to the Haliburton School of The Arts, renowned for outstanding arts programming. Designed for visual artists, the contemporary architecture maximizes natural light in the studios, classrooms and common areas. It's the perfect environment to flourish as an artist.
Fleming students have unique and flexible options for earning their diploma in the visual arts. Once students have completed their certificate, they can continue their education by enrolling in two more semesters of study to complete their Visual and Creative Arts diploma. Students can continue their arts education through transfer agreements with Sheridan College, Emily Carr University of Art and Design and OCAD University. (Ontario College of Art and Desig).
What it Takes to Succeed
- open mind
- willing to learn from others
- interest in exploring clay as a means of artistic expression
- manual dexterity
- commitment to intensive format of study
- ongoing exploration of your own creativity
Career Opportunities
- You have started a life-long learning experience in the discipline of ceramics, with endless options in your pursuit of a career in this field.
- This program will appeal to the serious student who is seeking to build an excellent foundation portfolio of work before pursuing further studies, to apply their learning to another medium, or to explore apprenticeship, freelance, or teaching career options.
Minimum Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:
- 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)
When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.
Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.
Related Programs
This 15-week certificate can be applied toward the Visual and Creative Arts Diploma - Specialist option. Each course week includes 32.5 hours of in-class instruction and 15 hours of independent studio work.
Graduates of the Ceramics certificate will be considered for entrance into the Sheridan College Crafts and Design advanced diploma program. Successful applicants will enter directly into the second year of the program. All applicants will be required to present a portfolio as part of the admission process.
Additional Costs
There is an additional expense of approximately $200 for textbooks and equipment. Other material costs are included in the tuition fee.
University Transfer Agreements
| Course | Hours |
| Semester 1 | |
| Applied Design for Ceramics | 47.50 |
| Art History XIII - Ceramics | 47.50 |
| Ceramic Studio Operations | 47.50 |
| Clay and Glaze Technology | 47.50 |
| Decoration and Glazing Techniques | 47.50 |
| Drawing - Ceramics | 47.50 |
| Handbuilding Ceramics | 47.50 |
| Marketing/Portfolio Development | 47.50 |
| Mouldmaking for Ceramics | 47.50 |
| Throwing Techniques I | 47.50 |
| Throwing Techniques II | 47.50 |
| Throwing Techniques III | 47.50 |
| Throwing Techniques IV | 47.50 |
| Throwing Techniques V | 47.50 |
Semester 1
Applied Design for Ceramics
Course Number: ARTS0008
Students will learn design techniques as they specifically relate to ceramics, and investigate the nature of creativity. A variety of creative exercises will generate ideas that will be expressed through drawings and in written form. By identifying personal tastes and interests, students will develop their own style. Their ideas and unique style will then be translated into reality by combining pottery-making skills with design principles, issues of form and function, appropriate decoration, choice of production methods, and craftsmanship. They will design and develop products such as dinnerware place settings, teapots, casseroles, and more, in the form of prototypes that will be made in 'Throwing Part V'.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Art History XIII - Ceramics
Course Number: ARTS0971
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the use, making, and design of ceramics art from its earliest application to the present. With a special emphasis on historically significant styles, techniques, and artists, students will be encouraged to recognize and use specific elements of design in a way that may inform their own work. Exploration of historically significant ceramics will be through student research, presentation, hands-on clay work, and field trips.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Ceramic Studio Operations
Course Number: ARTS0045
This course offers the skills and knowledge necessary to set up and successfully operate a ceramic studio. Instruction will include ceramic studio design and maintenance, determining and purchasing materials and equipment: as well as making and maintaining tools and equipment. Kiln issues such as designing, building, repairing, firing, loading and unloading will also be investigated. Health and safety issues are an integral part of all aspects of this course and will be addressed regularly.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Clay and Glaze Technology
Course Number: ARTS0050
In this course students will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to work with percentage and unity formulas so that glazes can be analyzed, compared, altered, new glazes formulated, and glaze faults identified and corrected. The characteristics and choice of raw materials and their role will be studied using line blends and other testing methods to create various effects mindful of health and safety issues.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Decoration and Glazing Techniques
Course Number: ARTS0062
The aesthetics of ceramic pieces is an important consideration. The appearance can be as important, if not more important, than the functionality. Students will develop the skills needed to decorate and glaze ceramics appropriately according to function, design and aesthetic considerations. A variety of decorating methods will be studied, according to the condition of the clay (wet, leatherhard, dry or bisque). Glaze application methods will include dip, pour, brush and spray. Students will also learn to prepare work for firing.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Drawing - Ceramics
Course Number: ARTS0972
This course will engage the student in basic drawing processes as they relate to the art of ceramic design and description. Focusing on line, proportion, light, texture, color and surface, students will produce sketches, working drawings and presentation renderings. Simple yet powerful processes for both representational drawing skills and concept drawings will be explored in the classroom. Observational drawings from a variety of natural and man made objects and patterns can be a rich source for style and surface design Basic colouring techniques will be addressed using materials such as watercolour, gouache, soluble pencils and pencil crayons. Attention will be given to the use of drawing in creative design processes and the exploration of style in a series of clay works. Students will use journals to gather research material and concepts.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Handbuilding Ceramics
Course Number: ARTS0107
The focus of this course is to assist students in developing the skills required to make pottery using handbuilding methods. Students will learn the basic characteristics and working properties of clay in order to successfully join clay and handle and dry finished pieces. Techniques covered will include pinch, coil, soft and hard slab, as well as the use of such aids as hump and press molds and the clay extruder.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Marketing/Portfolio Development
Course Number: MKTG0053
Practicing artists can choose from many different paths to advance their personal and artistic goals. This course examines the ways in which artists can assess choices in further education, financing and operating their own studio, presenting themselves, and promoting and marketing their work. Students will analyze the various aspects of developing a portfolio, photographing and editing quality images for promotion and documentation, and writing an artist's statement, cv, cover letters, and promotional materials. They will research and evaluate the services of trade/support organizations, marketing venues, the process for grant applications, artists residencies and internships. Resources for learning the issues in successfully operating a studio, along with the business practices and legal implications of these operations will also be investigated. Students will summarize their personal goals to establish their own specific set of options for continuing their artist's practices. In class sessions will involve research, writing, presentation, and critical discussion.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Mouldmaking for Ceramics
Course Number: ARTS0137
In this course students will develop the skills to make basic plaster molds for ceramics. Students will learn the properties and various working techniques of plaster in order to make slump, hump, press, one piece, simple two piece and tile molds. The composition, adjustment by understanding flocculation and deflocculation, and use of casting slips will be studied to enable the student to make slipcast pottery.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Throwing Techniques I
Course Number: ARTS0229
This course is an introduction to making pottery on the potter's wheel. Students will learn the basic characteristics and working properties of clay and how to centre clay on the wheel in order to make simple pottery forms such as cylinders, bowls and plates. Students will learn to operate the equipment and handle clay safely.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Throwing Techniques II
Course Number: ARTS0230
As a continuum, students will develop and refine their wheel throwing skills in order to make simple pottery forms. Students will then learn the methods of trimming pottery and making handles and jug spouts, paying particular attention to finishing details.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Throwing Techniques III
Course Number: ARTS0231
In this course, students will improve their pottery making skills in order to create larger, more complex and better finished pottery with consideration given to functionality. They will develop the skills necessary to create pottery with well crafted and suitable lids and be able to duplicate pottery forms to create sets and related multiples. They will apply the techniques and skills of decorating and glazing to finish their work appropriately mindful of attention to detail and the principles of function, design and aesthetics.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Throwing Techniques IV
Course Number: ARTS0232
The development of advanced level throwing skills including the creation of enclosed forms, and centering and throwing large amounts of clay will be the focus of this course. Students will develop the skills required to make more complex lids that are well crafted, good fitting, functional and appropriate. Skill development will be continued in order to duplicate pottery forms to create sets and related multiples. New forms will be created by altering and reassembling thrown sections. The techniques and skills of creating, decorating and glazing will be applied to finish work appropriately, mindful of attention to details and the principles of functionality, design and aesthetics.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50
Throwing Techniques V
Course Number: ARTS0233
Students will refine advanced level throwing skills to create large lidded forms such as casseroles, and more complex and demanding forms such as teapots. Students will also develop the prototypes of the products they designed in the "Applied Design" course, that show a successful integration of the principles of design, functionality and aesthetics, with a distinct personal style.Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50