Workshops and Studio Courses

Arts 547: Creating with Porcelain: 

Instructor: Natalia Kormeluk

Date:  August 20 to December 3, 2025

Time:  Wednesdays, 5:30 - 8:30 pm. 

Location: Studio 1 - Tatem Building

Modality: Traditional 

Description: The course consists of a practical study of porcelain clay and the working methodologies for creating forms on the potter's wheel, hand building and casting. Specific methods pertaining to formulating, mixing, recycling, drying and wedging porcelain will be examined.  Properties of translucency, glazing, and firing in oxidation and reduction atmospheres will be studied as aesthetic elements. (3 credits)

(workshop fee: $700)

Arts 528: Raku Theory & Practice: Tatem 1 studio  

Instructor: Natalia Kormeluk

Date:  August 23 & 24, September 27 & 28, October 25 & 26, 2025

Time:  Saturdays and Sundays 10- 4pm.  

Location: Hodson Graduate Studio and Kiln Pad

Modality: Traditional 

Description: The course focuses on raku as an art form, providing the knowledge and technical hands-on experience of traditional American Raku methods and the more contemporary approaches to build working skills, aesthetic understanding and creative possibilities. A multiple range of conceptual, technical, and  firing  explorations will take place in the time provided. (2 credits)

(workshop fee: $500)

Arts 599: Tea Bowl Carving:

Instructor: Kristin Muller

Date:  November 1 & 2, November 8 & 9, 2025

Time:  Saturdays and Sundays 10- 4pm.  

Location: Studio 1, Tatem Building

Modality: Hybrid

Description: (2 credits)

(workshop fee: $500)

Arts 542: Modeling the Clay Figure

Instructor: Leslie King

Date: July 7 to July 18, 2025 

Time:  Monday- Friday 10am- 4pm

Location: Hand building Studio Room 202 - Tatem Building

Modality: Traditional 

Description: (3 credits)

(workshop fee: $700)

Description: 

The human figure is ubiquitous in all forms of art.  The study of structure, proportion and movement as seen in the human figure is key to the understanding and appreciation of balance, design and the interaction of objects within nature.  An in-depth study of the figure in clay including anatomy and gesture. Figurative abstraction, and considerations for finishing and firing figurative work will be covered.  Individual sketches, projects and critiques will serve to aid in the development of exhibition criteria.

Arts 504: Surface Decoration  

Instructor: Natalia Kormeluk

Date: July 28 to August 8, 2025, 

Time: Monday - Friday 10 am - 4 pm.

Location: Studio 1, Tatem Building

Modality: Traditional 

Description: To provide exposure and experience in a spectrum of surface decoration and firing techniques and to integrate new knowledge in ceramic decorating with basic concepts in ceramic design. Techniques will be explored at different stages of making from soft clay, to leather hard and dry green ware, and bisque. (3 credits)  

(workshop fee: $700)

Arts 512: Eastern & Western Trimming Techniques

Instructor: Kristin Muller

Date: July 25, 26, 27, 2025

Time: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 10 to 4pm.  

Location: Studio 1, Tatem Building 

Modality: Traditional

Description: The course will cover the basic and advanced information on Eastern and Western techniques for successful trimming of the ceramic form. Students will analyze the wet clay form to make appropriate finishing choices that will balance or strengthen the composition and learn the techniques that will facilitate the trimming process. A combination of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on exercises will build skills, refine techniques, increase efficiency, and solve structural problems. (1credit)

(Workshop fee: $250)

Arts 524: Clay Calculation, Theory & Practice

Instructor: Natalia Kormeluk

Date: full semester starting January 22, 2025 ending May 7, 2025

Time:  Every Wednesday, 5:30- 8:15 pm

Location: Studio 1-Tatem Building

Modality: Traditional

Description: A study of clay bodies desired by the studio potter, testing and correction of body formulas: stoneware, porcelain, flame ware, and hand-building. Slips, terra sigillata and glaze base.  (2 credits)

(workshop fee: $500)

Arts 564: Aesthetics & Criticism 

Instructor: Natalia Kormeluk

Dates & Time: Friday 1/24/25, 5-9 pm; Sat. 1/25/25, 10-4 pm

                          Friday 2/21/25, 5 -9 pm; Sat. 2/22/25, 10-4 pm

                          Friday 3/21/25, 5-9 pm; Sat. 3/22/25, 10-4 pm

                          Friday 4/25/25, 5-9 pm; Sat. 4/26/25, 10-4 pm

Modality: Traditional

Location: Tatem Senior Room

Description:  Participants will formulate a methodology for recognizing their own professional philosophy on aesthetics, its variations, and its relationship to their creative work. Past and contemporary interpretations will be studied. Universal concepts of aesthetics, design, and criticism will be reviewed as they appear in the arts of various media in general and how they apply to three dimensional ceramics specifically.

Credits: 3

(Workshop fee: $ 500)

Arts 598: Teapots Exploration Form & Function

Instructor: Kristen Muller

Date & time:  March 1- 2 Sat & Sun, March 8-9, Sat. & Sun.  10-4 pm all days.

Modality: hybrid

Place: Tatem Studio 1

Description: Exploring the design of asymmetrical composite forms and their function, including teapots. Parts are thrown on the potter's wheel and joined to create a harmonious vessel or sculpture. 

Credits: 2

(workshop fee: $ 250.)