MOLINA, RAFAEL on mon 21 may 01
Clayarters:
I would like to share my observations about the clay program at The
University of Dallas.
I left my apartment in the mid afternoon on May 11 to ride my motorcycle up
to the Craft Guild of Dallas to attend the Seth Cardew lecture. I left
early in hopes of avoiding traffic which is unpleasant to be in on a bike.
Because I had so much time before the lecture I made several stops including
Trinity Ceramic Supply, Indian Motorcycle Dallas, Nate's Seafood (boiled
crawfish for dinner), and The University of Dallas ceramics studios (not
necessarily in that order).
Dan wasn't around but one of his graduate students was. I toured the
remodeled existing clay studio as well as the newly constructed area. I
believe this work was a part of a major expansion of the Haggerty Art Center
which houses studios, gallery space and faculty offices.
There were spacious and well lighted (including a lot of natural light)
areas for working for both undergraduate and graduate students. I was
especially impressed with the two different kiln yards one that appeared to
be for reduction firing and another for wood, soda, and raku.
I don't know Dan Hammett well, but I've always been impressed with his
personal clay work and with his stewardship of the ceramics program at UD.
In his long tenure there he's put out a steady stream of talented students.
I think what he has done there in the area of ceramics exhibitions,
facilities, enrollment (undergrad and grad), and graduates is an outstanding
example of what can be done under any circumstances, but it is especially
impressive at a small private university where I believe the degree of
difficulty is greater than at a large public university. This is in stark
contrast to the moribund programs at other private universities in the
Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
I would urge anyone who is interested in an MA/MFA to include UD among their
prospective schools. In addition to the faculty and facilities, the
financial assistance is very generous. It's my understanding that acceptance
into the program includes tuition and fees as well as
assistantships/fellowships. For more information you can call the art
depatment at (972) 721-5319.
Good Luck!
Ciao,
Rafael
Rafael Molina, MFA
Assistant Professor of Art
Department of Music, Art, and Dance
Tarrant County College-Southeast Campus
2100 Southeast Parkway
Arlington, TX 76018-3144
(817) 515-3711
(817) 515-3189 fax
Dannon Rhudy on tue 22 may 01
..... about the clay program at The
>University of Dallas.
>I left my apartment in the mid afternoon on May 11 to ride my motorcycle up
>..... a major expansion of the Haggerty Art Center
>....stream of talented students.
>I think what he has done there in the area of ceramics exhibitions,
>facilities, enrollment (undergrad and grad), and graduates is an outstanding
>example .....
I would like to add to this that Dan Hammett does indeed do a
remarkable job at the University of Dallas, and is a very talented
teacher, as well as a remarkable craftsman himself. Dan
is very knowledgable in many areas, including glaze formulation
(not so common these days). The facilities
there are quite good, the grad program small but excellent. Check
it out - you might be glad you did!
regards
Dannon Rhudy
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