CURRICULUM: Bachelor of fine arts WITH AN EMPHASIS IN Ceramics (B.F.A.)
Basic studies requirement—12 credits
- 1040 Object Drawing*
- 1050 Drawing Studio*
- 1070 Form and Surface*
- 1080 Form and Space*
*Prerequisites for all studio art and art education majors and minors
Writing—3 credits
- 3250 Writing About Art
Art history—12 credits
- 2200 History of Art
- 2210 History of Art
- Art history elective 3000-4000 level
- Art history elective 3000-4000 level
Ceramics emphasis requirement—21 credits
- 2300 Ceramics I
- 3300 Ceramics II
- 5300 Ceramics Workshop (15 hrs.)
Art studio electives—34 credits
- Three hours of non-western art history, and all art education credits, may be applied to the elective requirement.
Graduation presentation—3 credits
- 4930 Graduation Preparation
Summary of Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics
- Art Major—85 credits
- General Education—37 credits
- Total Credit Hours—122 credits
Students should consult the WMU catalog for the ceramics program course descriptions and requirements.
Portfolio reviews
Portfolio reviews for admission into the B.F.A. program with an emphasis in ceramics will be held in the second week of November and March.
Faculty
Technician
Facilities
The 8,000 sq. ft. studio, supervised by a full-time technician, includes: wheel throwing and hand building areas, a well-stocked glaze lab with spray booth, plaster lab and private studio spaces for BFA majors.
Wheels
- 20 Shimpo "Whisper" electric wheels
Indoor kilns
- 4 computer-controlled Cone Art electric kilns
- 32 cu. ft. gas-fired downdraft kiln
- 90 cu. ft. gas-fired downdraft car kiln
- 180 cu. ft. gas-fired downdraft car kiln
Outdoor kilns
- 300 cu. ft. wood-fired barrel-arched anagama kiln
- 80 cu. ft. gas-fired downdraft salt kiln
- 6 cu. feet gas-fired drum/cantilevered raku kiln
- 40 cu. ft gas-fired updraft kiln
Select equipment
- 30 Pottery Wheels
- Two Brent Slab-Rollers
- Laguna Spray Booth
- Soldner and Bluebird Clay Mixers
- Bluebird Pugmill
Student Group
The goal of the Ceramics Guild at Western Michigan University is to provide a supportive environment to raise student's knowledge and appreciation for ceramic art, as well as interact with the local and national ceramics community.
Student Work
Genevieve VanZandt