OSHER 614 - Ceramics: Primitive Techniques, History and Hands-on Experience

This course is designed to give students an overview of the history of primitive hand-built ceramics as well as hands-on experience forming and firing clay. Demonstrations, lectures, and slides will introduce students to the ancient techniques of pinch and coil pottery and to outdoor pit firing, saggar firing, and Japanese raku firing. Students will have ample studio time to produce pots using these age-old techniques and will be directly involved in firing their work. This course is the first in a series that will cover other handbuilding techniques and firing options. Special fee covers one bag of clay, firings, glazes, class handouts, and open studio time.