Advanced Pottery

Duration: 8–10 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Intermediate Pottery or equivalent experience

Course Overview:

This course is designed for students ready to explore personal style, advanced wheel-throwing and hand-building, glaze formulation, and kiln operation. Emphasis is on creative independence and portfolio development.

Course Content:

Week 1: Defining Personal Style

• Research and inspiration

• Sketching and concept planning

Week 2–3: Advanced Wheel Techniques

• Throwing large forms and altering shapes

• Composite forms (assembled thrown pieces)

• Throwing off the hump

Week 4: Sculptural Ceramics and Installation Concepts

• Non-functional ceramic art

• Mixed media inclusion

• Wall pieces and site-specific design

Week 5: Glaze Chemistry and Formulation

• Glaze materials and safety

• Creating test tiles

• Adjusting glaze recipes for color and texture

Week 6: Kiln Management

• Electric, gas, and raku firing (theory and demos)

• Loading for different firing effects

• Understanding firing logs

Week 7–8: Individual Projects and Mentorship

• Guided development of a personal body of work

• Mid-project critiques and technical guidance

Week 9: Professional Practice

• Documenting work (photos, titles, dimensions)

• Artist statements and presentations

• Preparing work for exhibition or sale

Week 10: Final Exhibition

• Student showcase and critique

• Group discussion on future directions in ceramic arts