Office: Art 101, Message phone: (408) 848-4833, Email: kgonzales@gavilan.edu

Tu/Th 5-6pm, Sat 12:10-1pm, appointment may be arranged by email

Means the lecture portion of this class is online, but the studio portion is held on main campus, located at Art 101.

Art 10A is an introduction to the historic developments and cultural influences of ceramic art, as well as an introduction to ceramic techniques through actual clay projects. 

Link to COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Hands in Clay, An Introduction to Ceramics, Charlotte F. Speight and John Toki

ISBN: 0072950706 (PURCHASE 5TH Ed.)

Clay may be purchased at school. Recycled is $3, porcelain is $7.50, all others $6.50. A basic clay kit consists of a bucket, small sponge, cutoff wire, metal probe, metal rib, wooden rib, wooden knife. If money is an issue you can borrow tools for the day. Pencil, permanent marker, ruler. Binder for notes, glaze log, handouts, and sketches.

Grade is based on the accumulation of 1000 points. 

A=1000+ - 850  B=849 - 700  C=699 - 547  D=436 -380  F= less than 380

Projects will be evaluated on

a) How well the assigned project reflects the lesson’s objectives.

b) Originality, imagination, quality of communication.                     

c) Application of design principles and historical relevance.                   

d) Craftsmanship (tool usage, materials application, quality of finish).

ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL.

The instructor reserves the right to drop after 5 absences. There is some flexibility regarding when you do your studio time. Attendance is irrelevant if you don't do something while you are in class. In order to earn enough points to pass you need to work everyday.    

EXTRA CREDIT may be earned by participating in a pit fire, a raku firing, the Christmas sale, the Gavfest, or for volunteering for an assignment from KC.

Students are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity. Violations such as cheating and plagiarism will result in disciplinary action which may include recommendation for dismissal.

Mandatory. (see grading policy)     

The success of the class depends on student participation in the form of class discussions and studio projects. The online portion of the class may be conducted any where -- in bed in your jammies, in a café, in a library.

Online participation will include online tests, discussions about the lectures, the textbook, personal experiences and an exchange of ceramic websites.

The studio portion is NOT home study. Art is hands on and best completed at school.

The class environment is an essential element of learning. It is unique to the students who enroll each semester. Teacher demonstrations, tutorials, guests, as well as fellow students' unique thought and work process will create a unique learning environment. The student who is present and observant of the different activities going on in the studio will learn much more than what is listed on the syllabus. Our studio policy is to allow all registered ceramic students to enter other ceramic classes if there is space, and if the visiting student conducts himself in a respectful manner. A student who misses a class may make up the time in another ceramic class. Studio projects are time consuming; with only one studio day a week taking a day off is not an option (unless you make up the time elsewhere). 

Mastery of artistic skill develops with many hours of practice. A good idea does not guarantee a good outcome. Be patient with yourself, projects rarely come out as first envisioned. Time and effort are critical to artistic growth. Procrastinating doesn't work, you can't pull an all-nighter. The various stages of clay make it impossible to rush.

It's difficult getting started sometimes, but I can not emphasize enough that you do not leave assignments until the last minute. It's best not to compare yourself with your neighbors. The class is mixed -- there are people with no previous experience, others with some, and others with a lot. It's best to set your own high marks and pace.