Ceramics - Certificate
Overview
With instruction in forming techniques, glaze technology, surface treatment and kiln operation, we combine studio and conceptual skills. The courses will refine and strengthen your creative talents. In your studio time, you will obtain confidence with ceramic processes, knowledge of studio safety and achieve individual goals. Our practicing artist instructors demonstrate and assign exercises in contemporary ceramic design methods as well as traditional techniques in handbuilding, mold making, wheel forming, glazing and firing.
Combine conceptual skills learned in the classroom with hands-on practice in the studio. Individual attention from your instructors in both settings will enable you to build confidence with ceramic processes, knowledge of studio safety and ultimately, achieve individual goals. Develop a solid body of work and be fully prepared to pursue independent practice.
Program Objectives
Ceramics instructors will place particular emphasis on engaging students in developing a body of work in preparation to pursue an independent practice.
Contextualizing a modern ceramic practice through an understanding of the history of ceramics and contemporary ceramics.
Courses Include
Individual Product Design and Making
- Wheel thrown forming: from large to small, composite forms, altering forms, generating asymmetrical forms on the wheel
- Handbuilding, molding, extruding: coil, soft slab, hardslab, pinch
- Mold making: hump molds, drape molds, one- and two-piece plaster molds
- Slip casting
Personalized Surface Treatment
- Glaze technology
- Glaze chemistry
- Glaze mixing and testing
- Colourants, slips and underglazes
- Developing a personal palette
- Using natural materials in the ceramic process
Understanding the Kiln
- Electric kiln technology, maintenance and repair
- Gas firing, maintenance, repair and construction
- Refractories
- Burner construction and maintenance
- Introduction to castable
- Alternative firing methods, wood, soda salt
News
Program Outcomes
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general entrance requirements for admission to Selkirk College, an applicant must meet the following Ceramics Program entrance requirements:
- English at a grade 12 level with a minimum of 60%.
- Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the college’s English language proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions.
- Submit a completed admission application form and other required documents (i.e., secondary school and any post-secondary transcripts) to the Admissions Office.
- Questionnaire
All applicants must complete and submit a questionnaire at least one week prior to their scheduled interview date. The questionnaire helps us to understand the applicant’s interest and commitment to the studio program.
Submit the questionnaire using the Kootenay Studio Arts (KSA) online form.
- Interview
All applicants are required to participate in an interview with a program instructor from KSA. Telephone interviews will be arranged for those applicants who, because of distance, cannot attend in person.
The interview is an opportunity for applicants to introduce themselves, present their work and discuss the applicant’s preparedness for entry into the program and will ask about commitment, goals and expectations, design knowledge, experience and communication skills. It is also an opportunity for applicants to ask any questions they might have about the program and for faculty to recommend upgrading if necessary.
- Portfolio
The portfolio is designed to assess your skill level to help instructors increase your chances of success in your studio program. KSA is looking for a demonstration of visual awareness, creativity and technical skill. The portfolio pieces may be of any medium and they need not be specific to studio preference.
For portfolio guidelines, see our website.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Before an applicant's file is considered to be complete the following must have been received or marked complete by the admissions office:
a) Completed application form.
b) Official transcripts of high school grades and interim statement of grades is acceptable if applicant is currently a high school student.
c) Official transcripts of all post-secondary education grades.
d) Applicant information questionnaire.
e) Portfolio submission.
f) Interview.
2. Students wishing to enroll in the Ceramics Program on a part-time basis may do so providing the same entry requirements as full-time students, as stated in Part A, have been met. Part-time students are accepted only if space is available after all full-time students are scheduled, and only with permission of the school chair.
A. PROMOTION
1. Admission to a given semester requires completion of all required courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and no more than one (1) failure grade in the previous semester courses. Any student with more than one (1) failure must have the school chair's approval to progress to the next semester. Students receiving a final grade of "F" in a prerequisite course will not be allowed to register in a subsequent course requiring that prerequisite.
2. To be qualified for admission into a course which stipulates a prerequisite, a minimum grade of "C" must be achieved in the prerequisite course, unless otherwise specified.
B. GRADUATION
In order to qualify for a Selkirk College Ceramics Studio Certificate, a student must complete all of the following courses with a minimum final grade of “P” in each course and an overall GPA of 2.00 or better. see Policy 8617: Graduation
Courses
CERM105 - Introduction to Glaze Technology and Surface Treatment
CERM 105 Introduction to Glaze Technology and Surface Treatment is an introduction to glaze chemistry and formulation. Students will develop their own personal glaze palette using the raw materials that make up commercial glazes. Other surface treatments covered will include slips, under glaze and screen printing.
PPD101 - Drawing as a Basic Visual Communication
PPD 101 Drawing as a Basic Visual Communication. This is a basic drawing course designed to give students a background and experience in the fundamentals of drawing as a basic visual communication. Through exercises and assignments, the student will learn to use drawings as a tool to record a concept, manipulate, develop, communicate and refine those concepts.
CERM102 - Wheel II
In CERM 102 Wheel 2 Students focus on a continued wheel practice that will broaden and refine their techniques and aesthetic approaches for shaping and assembling potter's wheel forms. Strengthening skills and personal directions will be emphasized.
CERM104 - Hand Forming And Molding
CERM 104 Hand Forming and Molding is a project based course that will engage students in expanding hand forming techniques. Projects will be designed to explore and establish directions in both production and one-of-a-kind ceramics. The emphasis will be on experimentation and developing a personal expression.
CERM106 - Ceramic Technology II - Surface and Kiln
In CERM 106 Ceramic Technology II - Surface and Kiln, a confident understanding of the kiln will be integrated with students completing their studio ceramic work. Technology included will be firing cycles, safe practices, maintenance and history. Glaze and surface directions are explored and applied in relation to kiln operation.
PPD111 - Professional Practice and Design
PPD 111 Professional Practice and Design provides information to assist the emerging craftsperson, designer, and maker in developing skills for selling their work in a commercial context. A variety of approaches will cover three broad areas of study: management, business, and marketing.
CERM112 - Studio 1 - Design for Production
CERM 112 Studio 1 – Design for Production. Students will engage in developing a body of work in preparation for production. With weekly critiques, there will be an emphasis on examining individual design issues and resolving technical problems.
CERM120 - Self-Directed Studio 1
CERM 120 Self-Directed Studio 1. Self directed studio-based exploration where students receive some mentorship. Personal areas of focus are proposed by students. Students develop individual choices and expressions with support and encouragement of faculty advisors.
Tuition & Fees
All amounts are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition amounts are based on a full-time course load. Please note that many programs have additional costs beyond those listed here. For more information, please visit Tuition & Fees.
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