Ceramics for the Intermediate with Kevin Andrew Morris

Program Overview

This 9-week evening ceramics course introduces participants to various techniques, including hand building, mould making, casting, and finishing. Led by Kevin Andrew Morris, the course encourages independent project development and exploration of personal interests. Participants will engage with concepts of craft, material, and place, with guidance and demonstration from the tutor. Essential core materials are provided, and the course is suitable for individuals aged 16 and above.

Program Outline

Outline:

This 9-week evening course has been designed to allow participants to develop projects with guidance and demonstration from the tutor. Throughout the duration of the course, you will be introduced to several different techniques used to create ceramics. Techniques include hand building, mould making, casting and a variety of finishing techniques including raku firing.

Course Content:

• Week 1 (4 September 2024): Workshops begin, focusing on foundations of clay, clay bodies and clay preparation.
• Week 1-3: Exploration of hand building techniques: pinching, coiling, slab building and carving.
Experimentation with shaping, building, and adapting different forms.
• Week 1-3: Learning how to make clay stamps by carving plaster to test indenting different designs or textures into clay.
• Week 4-9: Introduction to various mould making techniques:
• One-piece plaster mould (drop-out mould) using a simple found object.
• Press Moulding and Hump Moulding (demonstrations).
• Slip casting, pouring clay and water mixture into a plaster mould.
• Week 4-9: Exploration of finishing techniques: inlay, incising, sgraffito stencils, slip trailing, combing, marbling, agateware, and glazing.
• Week 4-9: Introduction to alternative finishing techniques through Raku Firing:
• Low temperature earthenware firing with a rapid cycle.
• Treating bisque fired work by plunging pieces into sawdust or quenching in water.

Schedule:

• Duration: 9 weeks
• Frequency: Each Wednesday
• Time: 18:30 – 21:00
• Mode of Attendance: On Campus
• Mode of Study: Part Time
• Start Date: 4 Sept - 20 Nov 2024

Independent Study:

• Participants encouraged to develop independent projects with guidance from the tutor.
• Participants are encouraged to carry out research into their own personal interests to direct their projects and their own creative practice.
• In week 3, participants are asked to bring an object to make a one-piece mould (drop-out mould) or make a multiple part mould (details discussed during the first two workshops).

Assessment:

• This course is not formally assessed.

Teaching:

• Delivery Method: On-campus workshops.
• Teaching Staff: Kevin Andrew Morris (often referred to as a ‘Nomadic Ceramicist’).
• Focus: Investigating family heritage and material culture.
• Teaching Style: Guidance and demonstration from the tutor.
• Teaching Approach: Engaging with concepts of craft, material and place.

Other:

• Minimum 8 students, maximum 10 in the group.
• Total of 22.5 hours of teaching over 9 evenings.
• The course fee is £270 per person.
• Essential core materials are provided.
• Participants are required to be at least 16 years of age on the commencement of the course.
• The University regularly reviews its courses, and course content and structure may change over time.

Tuition fee: £270 per person The fee is to be paid as part of sign up process and prior to the first session.