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any advice for an aspiring potter?

updated fri 20 nov 98

 

Daniel Rosen on wed 18 nov 98

Hello folks,

I'm writing in hope that some of you might be able to aid me in my dream to
study pottery formally. I have been potting on an amateur level on and off for
about eight years. I took some classes in Japan when I was an exchange student
here many years ago, and then I continued to practice at a private studio both
in Japan and in the States. Right now I am in Japan doing administrative work
for a performing arts group, and their dedication to their art has made me
reevaluate my own goals. I am now thinking of studying ceramic arts seriously,
but don't know how to go about it. Can I apply to a graduate or undergraduate
program with the little visual-art credit (2 courses) that I have? Are slides
of my work sufficient or do I need class time? Would my background in Japan be
a hinderance- I throw with the wheel going clockwise, a matter that has
troubled some of my teachers in the States. At any rate, any information about
different schools or programs would be greatly appreciated, and all ideas are
welcome. Please drop me an e-mail at "yakimonos@aol.com" or post a message
here. Thank you very much.

Regards,

Daniel

Vince Pitelka on thu 19 nov 98

>in Japan and in the States. Right now I am in Japan doing administrative work
>for a performing arts group, and their dedication to their art has made me
>reevaluate my own goals. I am now thinking of studying ceramic arts seriously,
>but don't know how to go about it. Can I apply to a graduate or undergraduate
>program with the little visual-art credit (2 courses) that I have? Are slides
>of my work sufficient or do I need class time? Would my background in Japan be
>a hinderance- I throw with the wheel going clockwise, a matter that has
>troubled some of my teachers in the States.

Daniel -
We need to toot our own horn at the Appalachian Center for Crafts, so I will
be direct here. We are part of the Department of Music and Art at Tennessee
Tech University in Cookeville, TN. We have some of the finest clay studio
facilities in the country, and we are in an active recruiting mode, so any
student who can get into Tennessee Tech can come to the Craft Center,
without the need for portfolio review. As soon as our student numbers are
back up that will not be the case, but right now this is one of the most
accessible clay-education opportunities available. Out-of-state tuition is
of course higher than in-state, but it is still a great deal for what you
get. The ceramics studio features 10,000 square feet indoors, and a large
outdoor covered kiln area. All ceramics majors get large semi-private
studio spaces, and complete access to the studio and all kilns 24 hours a
day. We have approximately 16 kilns, including gas, electric, gas-salt,
wood-salt, and a new 200-cubic-foot groundhog-anagama hybrid which fires
like a dream.

Email me if you want more info.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166