/Ceramics

The Ceramics program has a distinguished history and a very lively current presence. We are an art school within an extraordinary university with emphasis on interdisciplinary study that encourages every student to take advantage of the great array of disciplines at USC. The Roski School makes good use of the resources available in its urban location, as Southern California is one of the most important world centers for the arts.

The spacious Louis & Helene Galen Ceramics Studio is filled with natural light and features a series of canvas covered work tables, storage shelving and a separate glaze area. An outdoor spray booth is available for sprayed glaze application. The studio is well equipped with electric wheels, a slab roller, extruders and electric kilns. The adjacent outdoor kiln yard features a variety of large and small gas kilns, including a raku kiln and a 40-cubic foot state of the art DLB40 Geil kiln. Next to the kiln yard is an outdoor covered area devoted solely to the use of plaster for moldmaking. The recently renovated ceramics facility is open 24 hours, seven days a week and has a full time lab assistant.

Introductory courses in ceramics are intended to give a basic yet broad understanding of handbuilding techniques with clay as the vehicle for self expression. As the student advances, there is a freedom in technique as well as in choice of clay body and firing temperature. Specific courses on throwing, moldmaking and clay and glaze technology are part of the curriculum. Advanced courses focus on self-generated projects selected by the student and guided by the instructor and give students the opportunity to load and fire kilns.

A series of courses prepare the student with a foundation of success upon graduation, including seminars that discuss issues pertinent to current events in the world of art.

The Galen Ceramics Lecture Series hosts an international grouping of guest speakers in the field and is an integral part of the program. Recent lectures and workshops include those of: Marek Cecula, Kristen Morgin, Beverly Mayeri,  Wouter Dam, Alison Britton, Annabeth Rosen, Bai Ming, Susan Beiner, Matthias Ostermann, Mary Roehm, Adrian Saxe, John Mason, Richard Shaw, Akio Takamori, independent curators and writers: Jo Lauria and Elaine Levin and gallery director, Frank Lloyd of the Frank Lloyd Gallery.

The graduate student in ceramics works independently with a wide range of faculty on specific projects dealing with issues relevant to their own interests.

Ceramics faculty include Karen Koblitz, ceramics area head, and a distinguished roster of adjunct faculty including: Phyllis Green, Cindy Kolodziejski, Tom Muller, Ryan Logan, Tanya Batura and Marc Digeros.