#  Glaze and Clay Body Chemistry (Spring 2021) 

 



**Dates:** February 1 – April 19 (12 classes)   
**Day/Time:** Mondays, 6:30pm – 9:30pm ET  
**Level:** Intermediate - Advanced  
**Instructor:** [Matthew Katz ](/people/matthew-katz)assisted by [Casey Zeng](/people/casey-zeng)

**Course Description:** Demystify glaze and clay body chemistry via lectures and discussion led by instructor Matt Katz of Ceramic Materials Workshop, and hands-on experimentation facilitated by Ceramics Program staff member Casey Zeng. This class will cover technical information about glaze and clay formation. Along with technical information, students will learn how to effectively understand and work with their materials. Students will learn to use the Unity Molecular Formula of a glaze to substitute materials, how glaze temperature works, alter surface qualities, and prevent glazing defects. The class itself will be a combination of on-demand video lectures (watch at your own pace), live online discussions (every other week), and real-world experimentation. The information will be provided through on-line lectures that students can review outside of class. There will be live, on-line discussions with the instructor scheduled throughout*. Knowledge of PowerPoint and Excel is highly recommended*.

The class comes with access to our Materials Lab at the Ceramics Program for mixing tests for class. To follow Harvard safety protocols students will be able to sign-up for monitored Materials Lab Use and will have access to firing.

Materials if you are mixing at the Ceramics Program:

- 32 oz. or 16 oz. clear container with lid (available at Ceramics Program)
- [Scale](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BJ3KHL7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_SsUSFb85CF91P?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1)
- Mask N95 or the equivalent for particulates

Note: This course fee covers instruction only and test tiles, which will be provided. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own clay for personal work. If you would like to buy clay from the Harvard Ceramics Studio, please see below.

### Clay and Material Purchases

This course fee covers instruction only. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own clay. [Find a list of available clays, tools and materials.](/ceramics/supplies?admin_panel=1) Instructions on how to purchase clay and materials will be made available prior to February 1st. If you have questions, please email [Ji-Eun Kim](mailto:jikim@fas.harvard.edu).

### Glazing and Firing Services

Registered students are welcome to drop off, fire and glaze your ceramic work through the Harvard Ceramics program. We charge 3 cents per cubic inch for all firings (bisque and glaze). We offer electric kiln (Cone 06 for bisque, 6 for glaze), high fire reduction and soda vapor firings (Cone 10). Specialty firing temperatures can be arranged. At the end of each session, you will be invoiced for the cost of your firings.

**Course Fees: Free for Harvard College Undergraduate Students; $625 for Harvard Graduate Students, Harvard employees and Adult Community.**

[Register](https://ofa.asapconnected.com/Default.aspx)

**Registration will begin on Monday, December 14th at 11:00 AM EST**

For questions regarding course content, policies or materials, please contact Director, [Kathy King](mailto:kking@fas.harvard.edu).  
For questions regarding registration, please contact Administrative Coordinator, [Ji-Eun Kim](mailto:jikim@fas.harvard.edu).

**Location:** Zoom