Lee Love on sun 28 nov 10
I just spent the day glazing at NCC. It was very packed
and busy with the last bisques having been done (all the racks are
full of bisque) and the end of the semester coming to an end.
It is a kind of institution that doesn't have as
long a history as studio arts. It has a diverse bunch of people
with skill level all over the place. It may be the kind of
situation that will replace University programs as a place to learn
how to make functional pottery. We have similar book printing ,
print and textile centers. These institutions are one of the reasons
the ACC moved its headquarters here from NYC.
--
=3DA0Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi
Larry Kruzan on sun 28 nov 10
Hey Tony, I so wish your school was within driving range. The only school
within two hours of me is a school dedicated to making teachers instead of
arts or crafts. They pulled all their wheels out a few years ago since "no
art really requires making anything" - I really was told that by a
department head.
The local school where I took my BFA training wants all their grads to go t=
o
another school for the MFA, nice for some kid with no obligations but it
sure does not work for established adults.
At least your school understands the needs of adults too.
Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
www.lostcreekpottery.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of tony clennell
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2010 4:33 PM
To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: How is Ceramic Art Education Changed?
The Changing Face of Ceramics Education
I have been a part time adjunct faculty at Sheridan College for 8
years now.The student body is changing. Many people in their 40's and
50's are following their dreams. In my classes this year I have a
lawyer, a vet, a PHD in Physics, a high profile Master of Arts
Administration, a MBA, a Project Manager, a Pharmacist, a Graphic
Artist and other professionals I have not inquired about. Most have
some kind of undergraduate degree some BFA's that have come there for
an education in the foundation of craft. They weren't taught that
elsewhere. The kids straight out of high school are an obvious
minority.
This comes with it's pluses and minuses. They are very disciplined
workers and learners. They are early to work and stay till after 5 but
they have families at home and another life so the night time energy
isn't there as with youth. That's a bonus for me too since I'm pretty
well knackered come 6:30. They also are a questioning lot so don't
try to BS them with unsubstantiated answers. They know what they want
to learn and what they don't so with some elective courses they drop
out since they really don't want the accreditation anyways. They love
the studio but have passed enuff quizzes in their lives they don't
need to sit thru another one. In some cases it is true that it is hard
to teach an old dog new tricks. Some accept ideas readily and others
think they are old enuff to trust their own cape.
We are going to be a degree granting institution which I fear will
minimize or abolish the applied arts in favour of Capital A art for
art sake. The powers that be don't get it. There are people returning
to school to learn to be makers. Guilds in my province are full to
overflowing with waiting lists of people wanting to make pots.
That's my weekend rant for now as I have to get ready for my class
tomorrow. Lesson tomorrow is how to raise money without asking faculty
to donate a piece for an auction. So over done, so much a whole
nother rant.
tc
http://sourcherrypottery.com
http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found.
(Email Guard: 7.0.0.18, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.16390)
http://www.pctools.com/
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
tony clennell on sun 28 nov 10
The Changing Face of Ceramics Education
I have been a part time adjunct faculty at Sheridan College for 8
years now.The student body is changing. Many people in their 40=3D92s and
50=3D92s are following their dreams. In my classes this year I have a
lawyer, a vet, a PHD in Physics, a high profile Master of Arts
Administration, a MBA, a Project Manager, a Pharmacist, a Graphic
Artist and other professionals I have not inquired about. Most have
some kind of undergraduate degree some BFA=3D92s that have come there for
an education in the foundation of craft. They weren=3D92t taught that
elsewhere. The kids straight out of high school are an obvious
minority.
This comes with it=3D92s pluses and minuses. They are very disciplined
workers and learners. They are early to work and stay till after 5 but
they have families at home and another life so the night time energy
isn=3D92t there as with youth. That=3D92s a bonus for me too since I=3D92m=
prett=3D
y
well knackered come 6:30. They also are a questioning lot so don=3D92t
try to BS them with unsubstantiated answers. They know what they want
to learn and what they don=3D92t so with some elective courses they drop
out since they really don=3D92t want the accreditation anyways. They love
the studio but have passed enuff quizzes in their lives they don=3D92t
need to sit thru another one. In some cases it is true that it is hard
to teach an old dog new tricks. Some accept ideas readily and others
think they are old enuff to trust their own cape.
We are going to be a degree granting institution which I fear will
minimize or abolish the applied arts in favour of Capital A art for
art sake. The powers that be don't get it. There are people returning
to school to learn to be makers. Guilds in my province are full to
overflowing with waiting lists of people wanting to make pots.
That's my weekend rant for now as I have to get ready for my class
tomorrow. Lesson tomorrow is how to raise money without asking faculty
to donate a piece for an auction. So over done, so much a whole
nother rant.
tc
http://sourcherrypottery.com
http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com
William & Susan Schran User on sun 28 nov 10
On 11/28/10 5:32 PM, "tony clennell" wrote:
> The student body is changing. Many people in their 40=3DB9s and
> 50=3DB9s are following their dreams. In my classes this year I have a
> lawyer, a vet, a PHD in Physics, a high profile Master of Arts
> Administration, a MBA, a Project Manager, a Pharmacist, a Graphic
> Artist and other professionals I have not inquired about...
>Guilds in my province are full to
>overflowing with waiting lists of people wanting to make pots.
>That's my weekend rant for now as I have to get ready for my class
>tomorrow. Lesson tomorrow is how to raise money without asking faculty
>to donate a piece for an auction. So over done, so much a whole
>nother rant.
Hey Tony - For me, this is a been there done that situation, but at my
community college (just my campus we have 12,000 students and there are 6
campuses!) we have seen a change in the other direction - more & more
younger students, many without a clue. Lots of remedial education and being
right outside Washington, DC, lots of English as Second Language. We do hav=
=3D
e
the returning older student, lots of federal government and related folks.
The classes are a real mix: young/old, native & non-native speakers -
absolutely the greatest situation one could imagine! Great to watch these
groups interact and the way my non-native student's eyes light up when I
speak about ceramic traditions around the world and ask them each to do
research about their own ceramic culture - just wonderful!
You're a young one Tony in the teaching world - I've been at this 33+ years=
=3D
.
Have seen student populations cycle back & forth as well as funding levels.
We are at a low point right now. No raises for 4 years and funding for the
arts in the crapper. Saw this coming years ago and created an account in ou=
=3D
r
educational foundation. Hold holiday pottery shows, go after grants -
anything to raise needed money. Have several student just come up and hand
me checks written out to our foundation account at end of semester after
they see all that I do for them.
In the end, you just have to love teaching...
Now, let me warn you to stay far away from administrating - been there, don=
=3D
e
that too.
Bill
--=3D20
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Kelly Savino on mon 29 nov 10
Tony, I guess a lot depends on the demographic of the school.
My students in Ceramics at Owens College aren't right out of high school ei=
ther, but some are right out of jail, just home from the war, or freshly ou=
t of a job. While my suburban potter's guild class is more middle aged and =
affluent -- doctor, lawyer, retiree -- my college students are mostly there=
with financial aid, hardship grants, or some other form of government supp=
ort. A few drift off after financial aid checks arrive, but those who stay =
in class tend to be hard workers with a goal in sight. "Show me how, and I'=
ll get the job done."
My college evolved from tech school to community college to regular college=
, but it still has a techy feel. Tuition is low so a lot of students start =
here before transferring to the bigger U's in town. We're affordable partly=
because we are 87% adjunct faculty (no tenure, no bennies, no quarantee yo=
u have a job if the course doesn't fill.) While that's a hard way to live a=
nd loses us points in snob appeal, the advantage is that teachers in the cl=
assrooms are also hands-on professionals in their own fields, and have some=
real life skills to bring to the classroom.
I am newly in love with the maker movement -- Clay Times readers already ha=
ve heard my raves -- and I love that there is a wind turbine outside my lab=
that environmental energy classes take down and re-install every semester.=
Students are learning to use their hands, and I'm good with that. Nobody i=
n my classes intends to grow up to be a famous arteest for a living, and I'=
m good with that too. I don't want that on my conscience, lol. I remember l=
ong ago listening to a friend who was up to his eyeballs in debt for an MFA=
, wondering whether he really wanted to get a job that involved convincing =
students to get up to their eyeballs in debt for an MFA.
I have no illusions -- nobody in my class is making great art. If I am luck=
y, in 14 weeks they will learn to see, to throw, to edit and sharpen beginn=
er skills, to understand some of the history, process and chemistry involve=
d. They will get lots of eye candy, learn some potter names, and learn to c=
ritique with specifics and no hand-wringing. And some may continue to make =
pots forever and ever and get good at it. But nobody will ever end up in Ce=
ramics Monthly thanking Kelly Savino for her guidance and insights.
I'm good with that too.
Yours
Kelly in Ohio... headed back to the lake tomorrow morning to unload my seco=
nd-ever soda firing in the little cat I built. It always feels like Christm=
as... even though you sometimes get a lump of coal.
Here's my college... if you're quick you can see me at 17 seconds ;0) =
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DHsljWu2lMwA&feature=3Dshare
http://www.primalpotter.com
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