Projects
You will complete 6 Projects designed around throwing on the Potter’s wheel. See the ‘List of Projects’ or the ‘Assignments’ page in Canvas for specifics.
Homework
You are expected to keep pace with demos and lectures during class and use class time to your best advantage. Most of the class time is designated for individual work on projects. However, there will be demonstrations, lectures, and critiques that will also take up class time. Demos and lectures may not be repeated, but I do try and record them for you to watch on your own time if you miss a one. You should anticipate spending time outside of class to complete assignments. Students typically spend 1 to 3 hours a week outside of class.
Assessment/Grading
Grades are based on specific assignment criteria regarding technique, craftsmanship, design, and conceptual development, explained in written and verbal form at the introduction of each assignment. Supplementary slide shows and technical demonstrations will help further your idea development and working skills. Grading will be based on the quality of your work. This includes effort, technical skill, creativity, progress, and completion of all assigned projects. Other factors that affect your grade are participation in class critiques, having projects completed on time, cleaning your area after each day.
Each individual Project will be graded using this Rubric:
Grading Criteria
Each Project will be assessed using the following metric:
- Craftsmanship: this constitutes an understanding of the technique and intention. Pieces are made of a consistent thickness and desired shape. Rough and sharp edges are attended to.
Points: 1 to 25 - 2.Effort and Performance: The work shows effort. Perhaps the first attempt was unsuccessful, but the final piece was achieved through multiple variations or attempts. Class time was used wisely and out of class time was effective. The work was not produced last minute.
Points: 1 to 25 - Surface Treatment: Evidence of consideration given to the glazing and overall look of the work. Attempted several approaches to decorating with slips, underglazes and glazes.
Points: 1 to 25 - Followed all Requirements Outlined in the Project: Addressed all aspects requested in the assignment. Due dates were met, and critiques were attended and participated in.
Points: 1 to 25
(25 is most successful, 1 is least successful)
It is expected that all pieces will be finished and glazed at the end for your final critique. Unglazed pieces constitute unfinished work and can receive no better than a “D”. It is expected that students will pay attention to glaze demos and invest as much in design and craftsmanship in the finishing as in the building. If pieces are glazed in a haphazard manner your grade will be affected negatively. Meeting deadlines is crucial to a successful outcome, failure to do so will affect your grade negatively. It is ultimately your responsibility to keep track of your work through all stages of the process. If a piece gets lost or broken or dries out too much to work on it is your responsibility and you may have to remake the piece.
I will also give you an ‘In Process” grade on every assignment. The ‘In Process’ grades will be given on the due dates of each Project according to the calendar. If your pieces are not completed in the leather-hard stage by the due dates on the calendar, it will affect your grade. As the grades will be given to projects before they are fired and glazed, this will be a temporary grade to help you track and understand your progress throughout the term. I am unable to give a final grade on your work until it is completed through the glaze firing process. This means “In Process” grades can go up or they can go down. The outcome is up to you. If a piece gets lost or broken or dries out too much to work on it is your responsibility and you may have to re-make the piece.
Notebook
Bring a notebook or sketchbook for note taking during lectures and demonstrations, it should contain idea development, drawings, and images of inspirations.
List of Projects for 3610
Project 1: Bowls
Project 1 is to get you back into the swing of things. You are to throw 6 bowls using 1.5 to 2 pounds of clay. This means you are to hand in your 6 best for the final grade. If you only throw only 6 you will receive no better than a C. Each bowl must have a trimmed foot and a designated function - You must know what specific purpose your bowl will be used for. You will be required to use underglaze painting carving OR sgraffito with black terra sigillata on 2 of your bowls, but you may use it on all of them if desired. Your bowls will be assessed on how well you established the inside curve, the treatment of the rim and the trimming of the foot.
Project 2: Mugs:
Project 2 is to throw 6 mugs using one pound of clay or more if desired. Each mug must have a handle. This means you are to hand in your 6 best for the final grade. If you only throw only 6 you will receive no better than a C. You may choose to have a trimmed foot or it may have a flat bottom. Like the bowls, you must have an intended use for your mugs. You may make 2 variations and within those two variations you must attempt to replicate the mugs exactly. Your work will be assessed by the evenness of the throwing, the trimming, the lip resolution, and the negative space of the handle.
Project 3: Flowerpots
Project 3 is to throw 6 flowerpots for a specific plant. Each flowerpot must have a catch basin. Four pots must be thrown with 2 pounds of clay. Two must be thrown with 3 pounds of clay. OR all six may be thrown with 3 pounds of clay. Each basin will be thrown with one pound of clay or possibly more - it depends on your design. Things to consider with your flowerpots: How have you resolved the rim? how does the basin relate to the pot? How will your pot design accommodate the intended plant to be put in it? Your flowerpots may be submitted to the guild sale this semester for our flowerpot sale! Your pieces will be assessed on how even the throwing is, how well your piece fits in the basin, the trimming on the bottoms.
Project 4: Pitchers
For Project 4 you are to throw 3 pitchers. Each pitcher must have a pulled handle and a pinched or pulled spout. You must use a minimum of 3 pounds of clay for each thrown piece. Each piece will be assessed on how even the throwing is, the negative space and pulling of the handle and the function and shape of the spout.
Project 5: Containers
Project 5 is to throw 6 containers using a minimum of two pounds of clay for the body of the container. Each container must have a thrown lid. You may choose to attach handles or other decorative pieces. You may choose to add underglaze or sgraffito with terra sigillata, but it is not mandatory. You must make two variations of container and throw 2 different types of lids. Your pieces will be assessed on how even the throwing is, how well the lid fits and the design.
Project 6: Teapots
Project 6 is to throw 5 teapots. Each teapot must have a thrown spout, a handle, and a thrown lid. First choose the design of the teapot you would like to make. You may choose to turn one of your container designs into a teapot form. You must try to replicate the same form for all three teapots. Your pieces will be assessed by how even the throwing is, how well it is trimmed, how well the lid fits and the overall design and function of the form.
Grading Breakdown of Each project toward your final Grade:
- Project 1 – Bowls – 10%
- Project 2 – Mugs – 10%
- Project 3 – Flowerpots – 20%
- Project 4 – Pitchers – 10%
- Project 5 – Containers – 20%
- Project 6 – Teapots – 20%
- Project 7 – Quiz - 10%
- Total – 100%