Program of Study
Our undergraduate program in ceramics offers comprehensive course of study in wheel
throwing, hand building, mold making, material science, professional practices, and
a wide range of kiln firing temperatures and technologies. Special topics courses
offer intensive focus on processes like: kiln building, figurative ceramics, and ceramic
surface design. Once accepted in to the program, B.F.A. students matriculate through
a series of advanced courses that introduce the sophisticated technical, critical,
and research skills necessary for the creation of an individual body of work.
Our M.F.A. program is a three-year course of study. Graduate students at ETSU come
to the program with a mature body of work, material curiosity, and aspirations to
strengthen their studio practice through intensive study. Formal and informal interaction
with area and department faculty is a critical part of the education; studio visits
and critiques with visiting artists are an exciting addition to the ongoing studio
dialogue. Each graduate student is provided with an individual workspace within a
shared graduate studio. Scholarships and Assistantships are available and opportunities
exist for qualified students to teach courses within the department.
In both Undergraduate and Graduate programs, elective courses taken in art history
and other studio disciplines deepen the foundation of knowledge students acquire and
encourage the integration of cross-disciplinary study. With faculty approval, students
have access to facilities in other media, including Extended Media Studies that houses
a ceramic 3D printer.
https://www.instagram.com/etsuceramics/
Facilities and Equipment
The Ceramics Area shares the Art Annex building with the Sculpture Area. The ceramics
facility is equipped with two large, high-ceiling, open-format work spaces, a glaze
lab, clay mixing room, graduate studio, ceramic library/lounge, and an extensive kiln
pad. The glaze lab is set up for high and low fire glazing and is fully stocked with
dry materials and shop glazes. Just outside the Art Annex there is a thriving pollinator
garden. All ceramics students have 24 hour access to the facility.
KILN PAD:
Computerized Electric Kilns:
Cone Art Oval
L&L E23T
L&L E28T
Skutt 1027
Skutt 818
Skutt Firebox Test Kiln
Gas Kilns:
42 cu ft Downdraft Reduction Car Kiln
32 cu ft Downdraft Soda Kiln
4.5 cu ft Fiber Basket Raku Kiln
Wood Kilns:
24 cu ft Catenary Arch Wood/Salt Kiln
60 cu ft Manibigama Wood Kiln
Pit Firing Area
CLASSROOM:
8 Brent & Shimpo Electric Wheels
8 Lockerbie Kick Wheels
North Star Extruder
Brent Extruder
Brent Slab Roller
Sculpture Taborets
Community Tool Wall
3 Handbuilding Tables
Wedging Tables
Individual Storage Space
GLAZE & CLAY MIXING ROOMS:
Fully Stocked Dry Material Lab
Spray Booth & Ventilated Mixing Area
2 North Star Steel Glaze Tables
Triple Beam & Digital Scales
Plaster Reclaim Table
Drills
SHOP MATERIALS:
18 Glazes
16 Slips
Patinas/Oxides
Terra Sigillata
OTHER EQUIPMENT:
Bench Grinding Wheel
Peter Pugger 100 lb Capacity Clay Mixer
Air Compressor
Inkjet Decal Printer
Plaster Casting Equipment
12 Display Pedestals
Photography Equipment (boom, tripod, stand, lighting)
Two Sandblasters (Sculpture)
Ceramic 3D Printer (Extended Media)
Visiting Artists & Student Activities
The Student Ceramics Association (SCA) is an active student club managed by undergraduate
and graduate students in ceramics. Every year the club organizes a number of events
including: a gallery exhibition in Johnson City, an empty bowls fundraiser, ceramics
sales, outreach events, and visiting artist demonstrations. Ceramics sales happen
once a semester and help to fund student activities like the visiting artists, trips
to NCECA, and purchasing of specialized equipment for student use.
Visiting Artists in Ceramics:
Chris Pickett, Liz Zlot Summerfield, Mark Erroll, Michael Kline, Jason Burnett, Chuck
Hindes, Virginia Scotchie, Nick Joerling, Sammie Nicely, Kelly Theil, Donna Polseno,
Richard Hensley, Josh Copus, and more.
Faculty
Lindsay Rogers
rogersle@etsu.edu
