The Portrait in Clay (Fall 2023)

Dates: August 31 - November 30 (12 classes | 14 weeks) * 

Detail of sculpture by Claudia Olds Goldie


Day/Time: Thursdays, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Level: Intermediate - Advanced 
Instructor: Claudia Olds Goldie

Description: Students will study the portrait in history and contemporary ceramic art to expand and inspire the scope of their own work.  Anatomy and proportions of the face and skull will be considered, but students will be encouraged to push their work beyond these parameters to consider the portrait as a vehicle for creating narrative, emotional content, and personality.  Demonstrations will cover a variety of techniques to understand how each influences the character, style, and essence of a clay head or bust.   Students will then create several sculptures that are each built from a particular technique, including slab cylinders, hollow spheres, pinching, and coiling.  The surface, texture, and coloration of each sculpture will be considered as an integral part of the finished sculpture. *No class on October 12 for an Academic Event and November 23 for Thanksgiving Break

Materials List:

Basic Pottery Tool Kit
Apron
Small Towel

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:

$150 for Harvard College Undergraduate Students; $480 for Harvard Graduate Students; $1,020 for Adult Community; Harvard Employee TAP Regular and Long Service - follow instructions in online registration system for pricing.

 

Your course fee covers the use of all clays (terra cotta, midrange, and high fire stoneware, sculpture body, porcelain, and midrange casting slip), bisque firing, glazes, and glaze firing up to 8,600 cu. inches of kiln space for 14 weeks, as well as 7-day access to the Ceramics Program and its equipment from the start date of your class through December 1st. All are welcome to participate in the Winter Show and Sale, December 7th - 10th.

 

  • 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 July 26th at 2pm. 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.