Ceramics Emphasis
God loved breathing life into a little mud. We train students in functional and sculptural ceramic techniques. Students learn the practice of glazing, firing, hand-building and wheel-throwing in our program.
The ceramics emphasis provides an environment and curriculum devoted to developing skills, stimulating critical thinking, expressing creativity and promoting a professional understanding that allows our graduates to move seamlessly from the university studio to life as a practicing artist. Many of our students go on to residency programs and pursue their MFA in some of the finest programs in the country.
Ceramics Studio
The studio is equipped with large studio spaces and electric wheels. Students have 24-hour access to the studio several days a week. Enrolled ceramics students have free and unlimited access to clay and glazes. The studio normally stocks 30,000 pounds of clay per semester. We encourage students to experiment with porcelain, stoneware and earthenware.
- 9 ceramics kilns - including gas, electric, raku, soda, salt, primitive, and a large wood
- 15 wheels
- 6,000+ square feet of studio space
- Unlimited accesses to clay and glazes
- Private Advanced Studio space
Internships in Ceramics
Our ceramics students regularly participate in clay-centered internships over the summer breaks. Here are just a few of the art centers and studios where our ceramics students have served as interns:
- Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Gatlinburg, Tenn.
- Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, Md.
- Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, Minn.
- STARworks Clay Studio, Star, N.C.
- Anderson Ranch, Snowmass Village, Colo.
- Mudslingers Studio, Huntingdon, Tenn.
Union's rigorous ceramics program and high standards in the department really helped me learn the necessary technical skills of working with clay and have shaped the foundation upon which I have built my career in the arts. I am proud of my experience at Union and the ceramics education I received while attending.
Union University provided me with the skills and connections to pursue a career in ceramics. During my 4 years in the art department, I developed lasting friendships that challenged me artistically and personally. The foundational skills that I learned while at UU provided a basis which I continue to build upon today.