Introduction to Clay (ART 227)
The semester is divided into learning how to throw pots, and learning how to hand build pots. For throwing, you learn the basics about how to create cylinders and bowls. You will learn how to decorate them using class taught techniques and also, how to manipulate handles. You learn the value of making a project in pieces so you can make larger clay objects by stacking them.
The clay used by the into class is the Standard Shop Formula which is a High Temperature Stomer. It is a great all around clay that can be used for throwing and hand-building
For the Into class, there are a couple different kilns used. The Electric kiln is used for low fire work like Bright Colored Earthenware. The gas fired kiln is typically run at 20,100 degrees F with Traditional High Fire Glazes. To get different colored glazes, you add different oxides to the mixture.
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Education: MFA Southern Illinois University, BFA University of Minnesota, Pottery of Tatsuzo Shimoaka in Mashiko, Japan Guest artist : more than 70 Universities including: Chicago Art Institute, Oslo School of Art, Las Cones Cultural Center, Chile Awards : Visual Arts Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts (1990-1991) and (1978-1979); Project Grant, WI arts board 1983; Appreciation Grant, National Endowment for the Arts (1978-1979) |
Randy Johnston's Ceramic Shows Coming Up : American Pottery Festival at Northern Clay in the Twin Cities Next fall: Shows in Pennsylvania and Washington DC. |
Studio Clay (ART 337)
This class is made up of 4 or 5 projects, building on the skills that you already obtained in Introduction to Clay. You still use the basic skills of throwing and hand-building, but you add a conceptual twist to it. You are given the project and are allowed as much artistic freedom as possible in order to find your own style. You are also allowed to mix your own recipe of clay to maximize your creative potential with the color and firing options that different clay allows.