Ceramics

(Mrs. Durocher will not be teaching any sections of Ceramics this academic year)

Sample Texture Tile

Sample Clay Stamps

 Sample Coil Pots

Ceramics

Rachel Durocher

Art & Humanities Building, Room 209

rdurocher@lexingtonma.org

website: http://durocherlhs.blogspot.com

Course Description

prerequisite:  Foundations of  Fine Art or Foundations of Digital Art­

2 credits – semester

The Beginning Ceramics course introduces students to the fundamentals of ceramics through exploring a variety of clay techniques. Approximately eight major assignments will be given over the course of the semester. These assignments are designed to develop student’s ceramic skills and knowledge of a working studio, design concepts and terminology, and to encourage individual interpretation and expression.

Course Units

The following are anticipated semester projects:

Texture  tile                         Wheel-thrown bowl              Handled mug

Slab construction vessel      Ceramic stamp                  Pierced clay/ luminary

Coiled pottery                      Sculptural ceramics

Course Goals

·       develop skills in hand-building

·       learn and apply skills in glazing and surface design

·       learn and develop technical skills using the pottery wheel

·       create works that reflect individual ideas and expression

·       apply visual arts vocabulary by communicating ideas in speech and writing

·       evaluate personal work and critique the work of others constructively 

·       demonstrate a safe and responsible use of a working ceramics studio

Materials

Students are required to have a sketchbook to complete preliminary sketches and record glaze choices for assignments. Students should also use a folder or binder to hold project directions and vocabulary. You will also need to bring in 2 gallon-size plastic zip lock bags and a shoebox to store your work properly. Please contribute one of the following to the class: soap, lotion, tissues, or sponges

Homework (please see course blog for LPS policy)   

Class work that is unfinished by the deadline is expected to be completed as homework or during i block. You are encouraged to practice skills covered in class for individual improvement or to begin building an artist portfolio for college admissions.

Assessments and Grades

Each quarter grade will be broken down as follows:

            Projects & Long Term Assignments:       70%

            Minis & Sketchbook Assignments:         30%                                                        

Projects - There will be about three projects throughout each Quarter. Projects will be graded on Creative process,  Communication/Collaboration, Studio management, Craftsmanship, and Assignment- Specific Criteria.

                                              

Minis & Sketchbook Assignments - These assignments are graded on a 10-point scale that resembles project rubrics. These assignments are precursors to projects, and you will not be able to begin the project until the associated mini is complete.

Extra Help/Support

Students are encouraged to be proactive in utilizing I-block for extra support. This can also be an opportunity for students to have additional time for studio production.

Teacher Information

Rachel Durocher teaches Foundations of Fine Art, Ceramics, Sculpture and Computer Animation in the Visual Arts Department at LHS. Rachel graduated from Massachusetts College of Art with a dual B.F.A in Art Education and Fibers 3D Design. She earned a Master of Fine Arts from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Before coming to Lexington, Mrs. Durocher taught at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN; Bridgewater State College’s Arts for Youth; and Dartmouth High School.

Her artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Selected exhibitions include: Cleveland Art Museum; Museum of New Art (MONA) Detroit; Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI; Galerie Eva Bracke in Berlin, Germany; Galerie Lisi Hammerle in Bregenz, Austria; and the Textile Center in Minneapolis.

Classroom Experience

1. Arrive to class on time. Students who are more

   than 15 minutes late to class will be marked AT

   (without a pass) and AT-E (with a pass).

2. Create a safe and comfortable environment for

   everyone: respect classroom/materials, KILNS,          

   teacher and students.

3. Art takes courage!  Be brave and participate!  

   You are expected to work throughout the class  

   & do your best to complete each assignment.

4. Students must notify the teacher if they need  

    to leave the classroom (for any reason even if  

    it's to go to the restroom or the nurse).

5. Students will advocate for themselves and their 

    learning. Information is available in Google Classroom

6.  Cell phones/electronic devices should only

      be used for drawing reference with the  

      permission of the teacher. Devices that are 

      deemed distracting may be confiscated by the 

      teacher. NO EARBUDS FOR STUDIO SAFETY

7.   Students will clean up your workspace and then,

8.   Complete your studio job by the end of class

9.    No food or uncovered drinks                                        

10.  Wait at your table (don’t line up the door!) at 

       the end of class

11. Students may ask for an extension but must

      make the request up to two classes before an

      assignment is due.