Welcome to the University of Florida Ceramics Department in the School of Art + Art History. Located in beautiful North Central Florida, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the Ceramics Program is a dynamic community of undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, graduate students, faculty and technical staff. The program offers opportunities for rigorous studio learning by connecting technical and conceptual challenges in an engaged environment. Students in the Ceramics program have active contact with the faculty and are encouraged in cross-disciplinary study. Outside of the classroom, students participate in the student organization, H.O.T (Handbuilt Or Thrown) Clay. This energetic club sponsors visiting artist workshops, gallery exhibitions, ceramic art sales and annual travel to the conference sponsored by the National Council of Education in the Ceramic Arts.
The Ceramics program at the University of Florida is one of the major programs in the southeast. Designed to promote growth in aesthetics, technical knowledge, and conceptual approaches, the program uses Individual tutorials, group seminars, and critiques to provide a variety of settings for development and exchange of ideas relevant to the arts in general, and ceramics in particular.
Undergraduate
The undergraduate program in ceramics is designed with the philosophy and intent of providing a broad, yet specific, base of knowledge as related to the ceramic arts. Educational experiences include technical explorations with ceramic materials and firing processes (electric, gas, wood, raku, primitive, and vapor). Two- and three-dimensional design concepts and aesthetics are studied as related to ceramic arts. Historical precedents, contemporary issues; artists, and art works are incorporated throughout the curriculum. The studio environment is one where vessel aesthetics; form and surface design, are taught along with ceramic sculpture. Conceptual development and innovative contemporary forming processes are taught in addition to traditional techniques of hand-forming, wheel-throwing, and mold-making. Students gain the experience of direct marketing by participating in the semi-annual membership sale of the Florida Potter's Guild (a student organization). Regular visiting artists' workshops enhance the educational offerings provided by the curriculum and offer varied professional models.
Introductory courses at the 2000-level are structured to include thorough experience with hand-building, modeling, carving, mold-making, and wheel throwing techniques. Beginning courses offer experience with low-fire materials and techniques with an orientation to electric kiln firing. Intermediate classes at the 3000-level build on these experiences offering exposure to high-fire materials and gas firing methods. Upper level courses at the 4000-level in ceramic sculpture, vessel design, figure sculpture, and advanced study build specialized skills, focus on concept development, contemporary issues, and development of a personal voice. Specialized techniques for forming, surfacing, and firing large-scale works are offered. An exhibition and artists' statement is required to fulfill senior project requirements. Students also learn professional skills including: resume writing, slide documentation, and apply for professional exhibitions as part of the advanced course structure. Readings on contemporary issues are regularly analyzed at the advanced level. Computer sites are visited to broaden experiences of international contemporary ceramic art.
Graduate
The graduate program offers a strong community of active students who are researching questions about individual issues in art-making and pursuing solutions to resolved, focused, personal work. Ceramics graduate students meet weekly for topical seminar and critical discussion of works, and also have individual tutorials with faculty. The faculty believes that the ability to evaluate and discuss works should extend beyond one's personal studio involvements, and students alternate semesters with each professor, regardless of personal studio orientation.
Facilites
Graduate students have individual studios spaces within group studio areas in Ceramics.
Two large kiln areas house 22 electric, 4 gas, 1 gas raku, a wood kiln and a newly constructed soda kiln, including a 60 cu. ft/ electric car kiln and a 90 cu. ft. downdraft car kiln. The kiln room is equipped with a dry box and plaster area. Clay mixing offers 2 Soldner mixers, a Bluebird Model 24S and a pugmill. The glaze lab stocks a complete range of ceramic raw materials, custom spray booths, a digital scale and blunger. The Throwing Lab is equipped with Brent, Pacifica, and Shimpo electric wheels. Graduate students needing personal access to a potters' wheel in their studios for making work should consider bringing personal equipment to guarantee access.
H.O.T. Clay
H.O.T. Clay, the Ceramics student organization, seeks to promote the ceramic arts through educational activities open to all university students and the general public. Activities include seminars and other collaborative events, semi-annual sales, and socials. H.O.T. Clay helps sponsor members wishing to attend the annual NCECA conference.
For questions, please contact the Ceramics Area Head at ceramicsinfo@arts.ufl.edu.
More information about the Ceramics program here.
