This course will focus on fundamental technical requirements needed by intermediate and advanced level students pursuing advanced level projects in ceramics. Students will gain specific skills through focused training, learn about clay and glaze components in depth and the mechanics of kilns. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the chemistry behind glazes and how the molecular breakdown of glaze formulas translates into unique fired surfaces. Students will acquire the methodology needed for continued testing and surface development. We will explore various kilns and the essentials of firing techniques, learning the roles of fire and atmosphere in transforming glaze components into desired surfaces. The work will be accomplished through a combination of lecture and hands-on experimentation and recording/archiving data.

This course has been designed for the intermediate and advanced ceramic student. Corequisite: Intermediate Throwing.