Ceramics

Ceramics Fundamentals

The ceramics program in the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art is designed to help students become effective artists and to make their own contributions to the field. Students will develop techniques and hands-on skills, along with an understanding of the history of ceramics, to create pieces valued for style and function.

Ceramics majors will learn to:

• make clay pieces on a pottery wheel
• mix glazes from raw materials
• create sculpture
• make tiles
• fire electric, natural gas, propane, updraft, downdraft, raku and salt kilns

Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, providing comprehensive preparation for professional practice, also are offered  in the following areas:

• Graphic Design
• Metalsmithing
• Painting and Drawing
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Sculpture

Students in the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art at UA also may earn a Bachelor of Arts in:

• Art Education
• Art History
• Studio Art

Our Faculty

• are practicing artists, designers and scholars
• place a premium on personal attention and excellent advising
• work side-by-side with students to help turn aspirations into accomplishments

Akron Advantage

Hands-on Experience

The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art, located in Folk Hall, offers 70,000 square feet of learning space — enabling students to explore new areas of creative research and ensuring that their professional skills are cutting edge. Well-equiped studios are devoted to:

• ceramics
• commercial photography
• computer imaging
• drawing
• illustration
• metalsmithing
• painting
• photography
• sculpture
• two-dimensional design
• three-dimensional design

Folk Hall also is home to the Emily Davis Art Gallery, which showcases art and design of regional, national and international significance as well as student, juried student and scholarship exhibitions.

In addition, art majors benefit from the visiting artists and lecture series sponsored by the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art.

Real World Experience

Students are encouraged to participate in co-op programs and internships. In recent years, students have participated in co-op and internship programs at such diverse sites as:

• Disney World
• Central Intelligence Agency
• New York Stock Exchange
• advertising agencies
• design studios

Art Student Organizations

• Student Art League
• Design x Nine

Sample Curriculum

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics

FIRST YEAR		THIRD YEAR
Fall Semester		Fall Semester
Arts Orientation	0	Advanced Throwing* -or-	3
Foundation Drawing I*	3	Advanced Ceramics*
Foundation 2D Design*	3	Art Studio Elective	3
Survey of Art History I	3	Art Studio Elective	3
English Option	4	Natural Science Option/ Lab	4
Math (see adviser for placement	3	Social Science Option	3
Total	16	Total	16
Spring Semester		Spring Semester
Foundation 3D Design	3	Advanced Throwing* -or-	3
Foundation Life Drawing	3	Advanced Ceramics*
Intro. to Ceramics*	3	Art Studio Elective	3
English Option	3	Art Studio Elective	3
Survey of Art History II**	3	Social Science Option	3
Natural Science Option	1	Art History Elective	3
Total	16	Total	15
SECOND YEAR		FOURTH YEAR
Fall Semester		Fall Semester
Foundation Review*	0	Advanced Throwing* -or-	3
Throwing*	3	Advanced Ceramics*
Intro. to Sculpture*	3	Art Studio Elective	3
Intermediate Drawing*	3	Art Studio Elective	3
Survey of Art History III	3	Art History Elective	3
Oral Communication	3	Natural Science Option	3
Physical Education	1	Cultural Diversity	2
Total	16	Total	17
Spring Semester		Spring Semester
Advanced Throwing* -or-	3	Advanced Throwing* -or-	3
Advanced Ceramics*		Advanced Ceramics*
Art Studio Elective	3	Open Elective	2
Art Studio Elective	3	Art Studio Elective	3
Open Elective	3	Art Studio Elective	3
Humanities in the West. Trad.	4	Senior Exhibition	0
Total	16	Humanities Option	3
		Cultural Diversity	2
		Total	16
		Total Required Credit Hours	128

* Must be taken in order
** Must be taken in designated semester sequence