Understanding Glazes with Studio Access

metal bins labeled "Nepheline Syenite" "Feldspar"

Spring 2026
Dates: January 26 - April 13, 2026 (12 classes with 14 weeks of studio access)
Day/Time: Mondays, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Instructor: Matthew Katz

Understanding Glazes is an intensive ten-week online lecture-based study combined with twelve weeks of access to the Ceramics Program Materials Room for in-person experiments focused on the science behind ceramic materials and glazes. Five live online class meetings will be held with the instructor to review projects and class information. The course will provide information and science to help each student effectively utilize glaze materials in ways that will enhance and improve their practice. Understanding Glazes is primarily an online lecture course with studio access for those looking to produce personal work outside of the class.

Note: If you do not intend to use the Ceramics Program facility and are interested in just the lectures, you should sign up for an online-only course with the Ceramics Materials Workshop.

The Understanding Glazes class provides information to students in an audio and visual setting. Using a video over PowerPoint lecture format in the classroom, in addition to this, the online environment allows for flexibility of discussion topics, triggered by student-generated questions and interaction over email, message board, and live video discussion with the faculty. Recorded lectures are complemented by live online meetings with the instructor and fellow classmates as well as reading and optional experiments. Students may use the recorded video format to rewind and review material at their leisure, allowing for a more comprehensive absorption of the course materials. Studio access is available to those that fall under the definition of Intermediate-Advanced and can work independently in the studio. Casey Zeng will act as a facilitator for the class and assist with weekly bisque firings.

Scheduled Dates:

January 26 – Studio Orientation
February 2 – April 13 (10 online lectures/5 instructor-led online classes)
Instructor-led, live online sessions: February 16th, March 2nd, March 16th, March 30th, & April 13th

Note: This is an Intermediate-Advanced class. Please carefully review our definitions of experience levels for courses to ensure that you are qualified to take the course. We reserve the right to drop participants who have registered for courses they do not have the skills to meaningfully participate in.

The registration lottery for Spring 2026 Ceramics Courses will be open from November 17 at 10:00am to November 20 at 4:00pm. Visit our Registration Policies page for complete dates and instructions on how to register.

Materials List

Materials if you are mixing at the Ceramics Program:
16 oz. clear container with lid (available for purchase at Ceramics Program)
Scale
Mask N95 or the equivalent for particulates
Black Underglaze Pencil – Amaco or fine brush and black underglaze
Hand-held immersion blender (suggested)
Test Tiles (available at Ceramics Program)

All registered students will receive an email confirmation with the class syllabus one week before the start date.

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 at jikim@fas.harvard.edu.

Cost:

Course Fees: $150 for Harvard College Undergraduate Students; $555 for Harvard Graduate Students; $1,170 for Adult Community Members; Harvard Employee TAP Regular and Long Service - follow the instructions in the online registration system for pricing.
Your course fee covers 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 cubic inches of kiln space, as well as 7-day access to the Ceramics Program and its equipment from the start date of your class through May 1, 2026.

User types:

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.

Questions?

For questions regarding course content, policies, staffing or facilities, please contact Director, Kathy King.
For questions regarding registration or 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 Instructional Operations Coordinator Mary Cale Wilson.