Post-Baccalaureate in Ceramics
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Post-Baccalaureate in Ceramics program is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree to develop their portfolio and research interests while working in an active, academic studio environment within a diverse and inclusive community. The program welcomes applications from students working across the expanded spectrum of ceramic practices including: vessel and tableware design, object-based sculpture, the figure, social practice, installation, performance, multimedia, and digital modeling/fabrication.
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, and a dedicated plaster lab. The Ceramics Area also includes a 5,300 sq. ft. outdoor kiln pad with enclosed material storage and atmospheric kilns.
Tools and Equipment
30 electric pottery wheels, 7 computer-controlled electric kilns, 32 cu. ft. gas-fired downdraft kiln, 90 cu. ft. gas-fired downdraft car kiln, and 180 cu. ft. gas-fired downdraft car kiln, 300 cu. ft. wood-fired barrel-arched anagama kiln, 50 cu. ft. gas-fired crossdraft soda kiln, 6 cu. feet gas-fired drum raku kiln, 40 cu. ft gas-fired updraft kiln, 2 Heated Plaster Drying Cabinets, 2 Brent Slab Rollers, Laguna Spray Booth, Soldner and Bluebird Clay Mixers, Bluebird and Shimpo Pugmills and a Shimpo Ballmill.
Visiting Artists
The mission of Frostic School of Art’s Visiting Artist program is tri-fold: to provide students direct, meaningful contact with working artists, both established and emerging; to elevate the regional, national, and international profile of the Frostic School of Art and Richmond Center for Visual Arts; and to nurture a sense of community among students, faculty, and staff within WMU’s College of Fine Arts. Recent visiting artists and scholars that have enriched the ceramics curriculum include; Michelle Summers, Tom Jaszczak, Matt Long, John Balistreri, Brad Schweiger, George Rodriguez, Alex Zablocki, Peter Pinus, Mark Errol, Sam Chumley, Julie Moon, Trey Hill, Nathan Prouty, Raven Halfmoon, Stuart Gair, Kyle Johns, Chandra DeBuse, Jamie Bates Slone, Lars Zoltz, Gustav Hamilton, Kristen Cliffel, Michael Lorsung, Jenn Cole, Akeylah Imani Wellington, Savanna LaBauve, & Eric Zohn.
Enrollment
(1) credit hour of ART 5300: Graduate Ceramics I as a non-degree seeking student - university application and transcripts required.
Estimated Semester Tuition and Fees (2024-2025)
$1070 (MI Residents) $1470 (Non-Resident) parking pass not included
Program Length
1 semester – 2 academic years
Studio Space
80-90 sq. ft. with flexible shelving, work surfaces and pottery wheel as needed. 24/7 studio access with swipe card.
Materials and Firing
Full access to Glaze Lab, Plaster Lab, clay mixing facilities, dry materials, and indoor and outdoor kilns.
Work Exchange
The Post-Bac program includes an 8-hour work exchange per week. Students assist in the classroom with studio organization, clay and glazing mixing, or special projects with faculty members.
Professional Development and Exhibition Opportunities
Post-Bac students have several professional development resources available including assistance with CV/resume, artist statement, preparation for graduate school, and application to residencies and gallery exhibitions. Post-Bac students participate in all Ceramics Area exhibitions as well as have the option to propose and mount a solo exhibition of their work.
Student Organization
Ceramic Arts Student Organization (CASO) is a student-run organization that facilitates visiting artists, group artwork sales and other events on campus each semester.
About Kalamazoo, MI:
Kalamazoo, Michigan, is a metropolitan community of 150,000 residents located in Southwest Michigan, a little over two hours from Chicago, IL, and Detroit, MI. Home to nationally recognized Western Michigan University (WMU) and Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo is a city filled with energy and innovation. A vibrant downtown features quality dining, unique shops, galleries, and live entertainment. In Kalamazoo, you’re never far from several lakes and other outdoor recreation or one of over 20 breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Kalamazoo averages around $750-950 monthly rent for 2-bedroom apartments, with minimal campus commutes and an average living cost. Our students enjoy easy access to a wide range of art-making materials and several grocery options from Trader Joe’s to Costco.
APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM
Application Deadlines:
- Oct 30th for Spring Semester enrollment
- April 28th for Fall Semester enrollment
Please prepare the following items as part of your application.
- Cover Letter, explaining you interest in the program and research goals (1-2 pages)
- CV/Resume
- Artist Statement
- 8 - 10 images of your work with descriptions as a single PDF or PowerPoint.
- Contact information for two professional references.
Submit via email to Kyle Triplett - kyle.triplett@wmich.edu, please use the subject line “Post-Bac application [your name]” on the email.