David Hendley on wed 21 oct 98
The main reason for studying at the university is to be an
educated person.
I know that this is not commonly accepted, but this is the classical
definition of a liberal arts education.
A person who only wants to be a production potter would
be better served to become an apprentice or get a job at
a ceramics shop.
Why "waste" time on art history, drawing, or a minor area of
study if 'production potter' is your only goal?
Personally, I am thankful that I was afforded the oportunity to
spend 6 years in college; but I certianly learned more about
being a potter in 6 years of "doing it" than 6 years at school.
Rafael, your list of Univ. of North Texas potters is misleading:
At least 3 from your list worked as apprentices in England, which,
I'm sure they would agree, prepared them to be potters more than
their time spent at college.
At least 2 from your list are now teachers.
Dee Buck studied pottery at, and has a degree from, my alma mater
Texas Woman's University.
I also remember, just last year, Rafael, that you contended here on
Clayart that it was impossible to make a living as a studio potter.
So, I was surprised to read:
>because upon graduation
>the opportunity to make a living selling pots is more realistic than that
>elusive full time tenure track faculty position they covet.
I'm really pleased to hear this, but wonder, what changed your mind?
Was it something we potters had to say here on Clayart?
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
hendley@tyler.net
http://www.farmpots.com
At 01:35 PM 10/20/98 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>------------------
>Lee :
>
>>Isn't the main reason for studying at the university is to
>>get a university job?
>
>I don't believe you can make absolute statements as you have. There are
in fact
>some schools who have a history of graduating some very good production
potters.
>
>My alma mater The University of North Texas is a good example. Jerry
Austin and
>Elmer Taylor, a former Leach apprentice, are the two long-time faculty.
Here is
>a partial list of production potter alumni :
>
>Gary and Daphne Hatcher, Pine Mills Pottery; Frank Campbell, Dos Rios
Pottery;
>Dee Buck, Buck Pottery; Jim Dale, Salado Pottery; Don Ellis, Cloudcroft
Pottery,
>Rachel Norris, Joy Pottery; John Bailey, Jay Bucek, Max Butler, John Fulwood,
>Scott Roberts, Winston Wigand, Tony Holman, etc.,...
>
>I'm sure there are other schools who also graduate students who go on to
make a
>living as production potters. I would encourage people who are interested in
>going to graduate school to spend their two or three years refining their
work
>and learning all they can about running a small business because upon
graduation
>the opportunity to make a living selling pots is more realistic than that
>elusive full time tenure track faculty position they covet.
>
>Rafael
>
>>>> Lee Love 10/19/98 08:10am >>>
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Rafael Molina-Rodriguez
>
>>Is it possible that production potters are ignorant
>>of academic concerns such as curriculum development,
>>syllabi, assessment/grading, advising,
>>etc,...?
>
>Good point. Isn't the main reason for studying at the university is to
>get a university job? A production potter doesn't need to learn
>curriculum development, syllabi, etc.
>
>/(o\' Lee In Saint Paul, Minnesota USA
>\o)/' mailto:Ikiru@Kami.com ICQ# 20586182
>' http://www.millcomm.com/~leelove/ikiru.html
>
| |
|
