Ceramics 261 :: Assignment IV :: Plaster Mould, Glaze Tests and Lidded Forms

October 28, 2008

Aim: To investigate low relief and texture in a repeating pattern panel that will be cast in plaster. The finished negative mould will be used to press clay directly into the plaster creating textured panels used to hand build a form. You will use this mould(s) to make both test tiles for glazes and 2 lidded containers.

Task: To create a repeating pattern composition that can be translated into low relief and texture. Using this low relief form, you will construct two lidded containers and a series of test tiles.

Download the entire assignment: art261-assignment4

Greg Crowe Here this Week

October 13, 2008

Just a reminder that Greg Crowe will be here all this week starting on Tuesday where he will be the ART 101 Visiting Artist.

Respected for his wheel-thrown, wood fired vessels, Greg explores the textural boundaries of the clay body. His vessels are stretched, marked, torn and then salt fired to create a unique line of pots. Greg is the lecturer for ceramics at the West Coast College of TAFE, Carine Campus in Western Australia. He is currently President of the Ceramic Arts Association of Western Australia.

On Wednesday and Thursday he will be working with ART 261 and 361 for the entire day – throwing Wednesday morning, loading the wood kiln Wednesday afternoon and then firing the kiln all day Thursday.

Before Midterm (Oct 22)

October 8, 2008

ART 261 – For Midterm I will be looking at your first project (two Anthropomorphic Vessels) and your participation in the Pitfiring and Throwing classes between now and then.

ART 361 – For Midterm I will be looking at your first project (Parts I, II and III) and your participation in the woodfire next week.

ART 461 – For Midterm I will be looking at your Dinnerware sets and you preparation between now and October 22 for your independent study.

Midterm grades will be handed back on October 22.

Watch this space for your next assignments ART 261 and 361 (I will post them on the long weekend.)

Deadline Claification!

September 21, 2008
You are running out of time!

You are running out of time!

ART 261

Monday, September 22: Plans for second anthropomorphic vessel presented to class

Monday, October 6: Deadline for both anthropomorphic vessels – critique on green pots.

ART 361

Friday, September 19: Three tiles with drawing on them due for bisque.

Wednesday, October 1: Assignment One (part i, ii and iii) completed for bisque

October 2 – 5: 1000 Miles Apart in Regina, SK

Wednesday, October 8: Load soda/gas kiln

Wednesday, October 15: Load woodfire kiln w/ Greg Crowe

Thursday, October 16: Fire woodfire kiln w/ Greg Crowe

ART 461

Wednesday, September 24: Terra Sig’s due

Wednesday, October 1: Proposal for personal project draft due

Monday, October 6: Assignment One Dinnerware sets due for bisque

Ceramics :: ART 261 :: Assignment 1 :: Anthropomorphic Vessels

September 15, 2008

To begin this term we are going to explore numerous ceramic building techniques in one project while at the same time, researching and investigating historical anthropomorphic1 vessels. In the second part of the project, the same skills will be used to explore personal identity or personal relation to objects through construction.

The task for Assignment One is to create two pit-fired2 anthropomorphic vessels using pinching, coiling, slab construction, and other hand building techniques. The first vessel you will make is an exact reproduction of a historical anthropomorphic vessel and the second vessel will be of your own design, function and personal meaning.

Vessel 1
This vessel will be a reproduction of a historical vessel. Research the history, production and context of anthropomorphic vessels – collect images and examples for your sketchbooks using books, magazines and the Internet for your research. Paying close attention to size, scale and proportions – do not choose a vessel that you do not know the size. Pre-plan and sketch out your vessel before you build it – draw the vessel from multiple angles and break it apart into individual sections to build. Your finished piece should accurately depict its historical counterpart in scale, decoration and size.

Vessel 2
Design and create a personal anthropomorphic vessel based on the knowledge of these vessels you acquired during your previous research. Again, you must pre-plan and sketch out your vessel before you build it. This vessel is not a reproduction so you must determine on your own what the vessel will look like, what it will be used for, etc. As a personal vessel, incorporate narratives from your own life, reference an animal or person you know, or create it for a specific use you might have in your everyday life. Both of these vessels will be finished using terra sigillata3 and pit fired.

The following will be considered for grading: effort, presentation, and consideration of the project parameters, participation and commitment, demonstration of depth of investigation and personal challenge and an overall general skill level.

1000 Miles Apart!

September 3, 2008
Carole Epp

Carole Epp

1000 Miles Apart is an annual student conference held in rotation by the University of Manitoba, Red Deer College, Alberta College of Art and Design and the University of Regina. This year the conference will be held at the University of Regina from October 2 – 5 with most events being held on the 3 and 4. Each conference features a number of different artists lectures, artist demonstrations, art shows, occasional competitions and other fun events. It is not only a great way to learn a massive amount of new knowledge but also a great way to see other schools and meet other student artists.

This year the featured artists are Carole Epp and Brendan Tang and the keynote speaker is Charles Mason, head curator of the Gardiner Museum.

Here are some links for the artists:





September 2, 2008

Hello Classes. Welcome to our little website!

On here I will be posting handouts, assignments, links to artists and events or just showing images.

To kick this off, attached below are each of the class syllabii should you lose your handout.




And, for those who might need it, here is a Supply List for Tools and the like.