Each unit that we study in Ceramics builds on the skill sets that preceded it. Students are learning the basics of Ceramic Hand-building techniques in this class, including Pinch, Slab, and Coil techniques. Students will also explore 3-Dimensional Form, and apply what they learn to their own work. Our texture unit will take the students outdoors to look at their world in a whole new way, through tactile, hands-on exploration of texture, both actual and visual texture. Students will learn about texture mapping in this unit, the skills of which can be applied in 3-D modeling and graphics professions of many varieties, including movie-making, video game design, costume design, special effects, etc.

Pinch Pot Units

The first, and most basic, skill in clay building and sculpture.  Using fine-motor skills to pinch and shape clay into a desired form is fundamental to any sculpting technique.

Coiling Units

Coiling is a building technique that allows students to create more varieties in form, height, width and shape.  This is where students start to see what they can really build with clay.

Slab Units

Slab techniques are used in a variety of sculpting applications, and allow students to achieve uniformity and geometric form that is harder to achieve with pinch or coil methods.