Glaze and Clay Body Chemistry (Spring 2023)

Dates: January 30 - April 17 (12 classes)

Test tiles for ceramic glazes.


Day/Time: Mondays, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Instructor: Matthew Katz 

Course Description: This class will cover technical information about Glaze and Clay formation led by instructor Matthew Katz and facilitated by Ceramics Program staff member Casey Zeng. 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, live online discussions (arranged by the instructor), and real-world experimentation. Class content will be provided through online lectures that students can view in class as well as review outside of class. Knowledge of PowerPoint and use of a personal laptop with PowerPoint and Excel is highly recommended.

Materials List:

Materials if you are mixing at the Ceramics Program:


32 oz. clear container with lid (available for purchase at Ceramics Program)

Mask N95 or the equivalent for particulates

Tool Purchases: 
Here is the list of available tools and materials at the Ceramics Program. You may also consider ordering from a local supplier (Sheffield Pottery, Amherst Pottery Supply or Portland Pottery). If you have questions, please email Ji-Eun Kim directly at jikim@fas.harvard.edu.

Course Fees:
Your course fees will include clay for test tiles, access to all raw glaze materials for mixing, firing of all tests and 7-day access to the Materials Room to complete course projects. This class does not come with studio lab access outside of making test tiles and accessing the Materials Room for glaze mixing.

For those who have previously taken at least one course at the studio and if you are interested in studio access beyond access to the Material Room for course projects, please email Ji Eun Kim at jikim@fas.harvard.edu

Course Fees: $150 for Harvard College Undergraduate Students; $450 for Harvard Graduate Students; $690 for Adult Community; Harvard Employee TAP Regular and Long Service - follow instructions in online registration system for pricing.

  • Adult Community: 18+; General Public; Harvard alumni, fellows, Extension School students, and faculty/staff who are not TAP-eligible; students from universities other than Harvard
  • Harvard Employees eligible for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): TAP regular (employees worked less than 15 years) and TAP long service (employees who worked 15 or more years at Harvard) 
  • Harvard College Undergraduate Students: Currently enrolled students at Harvard College. This does not include Harvard Extension School Undergraduate Students. You must register with your Harvard email – we can arrange for an alternative email to be used for class after registration is complete. 
  • Harvard Graduate Students: Currently enrolled students in a Harvard University Graduate Program. This does not include Harvard Extension School Graduate Students or Harvard University Doctoral Candidates.

 

Registration will begin on Wednesday, November 16th at 10am for Harvard Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Registration will begin on Thursday, November 17th at 2pm for Adult Community and Harvard Employees

Login and Register

All registered students will receive a confirmation with class syllabus one week prior to the start date.

Questions?

  • For questions regarding course content, policies, staffing or facilities, please contact Director, Kathy King.
  • For questions regarding registration, purchase of tools and materials, please contact Administrative Coordinator, Ji-Eun Kim. 
  • For questions regarding electric kiln certification, materials, studio equipment and safety policies, please contact Operations Coordinator, Geoff Booras at gbooras@fas.harvard.edu.