Ceramics
Location: Fine Arts 2 East, First Floor
Program Head: Tony Marsh
Ceramics at CSULB was initiated in 1949 and is currently housed in a fully equipped facility designed specifically for ceramics. It has grown to be in excess of 17,000 square feet and is among the finest facilities in the United States. Our undergraduate program currently supports approximately 25 students majoring in ceramics. Course work includes a full compliment of classes specifically designed and dedicated to: throwing, handbuilding, ceramic sculpture, moldmaking and casting, kiln design, clay and glaze technology, the history of ceramics and an undergraduate studio/seminar course that requires students to deliberate on current issues relative to ceramics and all of the visual arts. Formal critiques are a part of all course work. The recent additions of a 2500 sq. ft. outdoor kiln patio and private senior studio for BFA candidates preparing their graduation exhibitions has greatly enhanced our undergraduate program. Graduate programs are more individualized. In addition to graduate seminars in ceramics that address issues of criticism and theory, students are involved in a significant amount of independent studio work which includes weekly contact with a member of the ceramics faculty. We have recently initiated a program by which six of our graduate students are teaching introductory courses in our area each semester. Graduate students and faculty meet regularly as a group to discuss teaching methodology and students are asked to assume full responsibility for course direction. This gives our graduate students directed teaching experience as well as a modest stipend. Proximity to Los Angeles and an extremely active arts environment provides access to over 100 professional galleries and many world class museums and alternative university museum spaces. The program is enriched through a distinguished guest artist series and the course offerings of the various studio disciplines and Art History.