Jeff Tsai on thu 6 feb 03
Hi,
I don't see the harm in people calling themselves a potter even if they are
just beginning. I mean, there are plenty of people who've been working as
production potters, and not making a bad living off of it, for a long time
who I don't think are particularly great potters, nor the keenest business
minds (though they stay afloat). After taking one class, a person can call
themselves a potter if they want...If they believe they are, that's fine...I
don't have to agree. THen again, there's always that student who "wows" me
after taking only one class and makes me feel ashamed of my own work. To me,
and I know it's just my personality, it's just a title, and I don't put much
stock in titles, self-appointed of otherwise.
As for your questions, I can answer a couple:
Do you include decorating techniques in your clay courses, or do you do that
separately?
Decorating techniques are usually part of any regular class (though this
might only be superficially covered). I mean, most people don't expect to
take a class and walk out with a bunch of naked bisqueware with no glaze or
decorative markings. You can always teach a class specifically about
decorating techniques, but you need to see how many takers you have.
How often do you expose your students to different potters/firing techniques?
I suppose this would depend on what your facility can handle. I think it
is sad to expose your students to a technique and say..."but we can't do that
here." Of course, making students aware of the variety through slides or
examples is always nice.
What is the basics supplies that one need in your class to offer your
students all they need?
a variety of glazes at whatever temperatures you choose. various tools,
handmade or otherwise. Enough wheels and space for all your students (though
students can share wheels if it isn't specifically a "throwing" class.
kilns...again, this depends on what you can handle. I've helped out in
studios that only have one electric kiln that can reach cone 6, with 6
wheels, and almost no space. they had various underglazes and about 7 cone 6
glazes. This studio had small classes and made sure to decorate their walls
and shelves with work that could be made using what they had available, but
then you go to a college and you might have literally 100s of glazes at all
temperature ranges, facilities to make your own glazes, 30 wheels, dozens of
tables and kilns both gas and electric, a yard for pit firings...etc. Figure
out what you can do (what's legal for you to have) and go from there.
How many students per class?
depends on size of facility...I'd say more than 20 is too much to handle
though.
Do you take your students on field trips?
Yes. Museums and galleries and other potter's and artist's studios. Or
just let the students know about the places and let them go if they please.
Do you hand out notes?
Yes. vocabulary terms, diagrams of a process for those people who forget.
Do you do lectures?
Sure, but not very often. Ceramics is mostly kinestetic, but a slide
lecture to show a variety of techniques and their finished products wouldn't
hurt. It kind of depends on the class. Some classes just want to know how to
make a vase to put their plants in, some classes are interested in the long
history of ceramics.
Do you teach students more than pottery, for instance where clay fit into
history and art?
Well, at the college, yes, at the little ceramic studio with the one
kiln and classes of 8 students (almost all of whom were middle-age parents
looking to have a little fun with clay twice a week at night) no. But, when
someone asks, then you can just talk to them or show examples from a book.
Teaching how clay fits into history and art doesn't need to be a whole class
thing.
How much do you charge for your classes. Is all materials included?
I forget how much at the little shop...it was around $350-$450 for six
weeks, twice a week with an additional 5 hours of open studio hours. Of
course you cover the costs, unless you're goal in life is, and it could
honorably be, to spread the art of ceramics at your own expense, then you try
to make money.
How does holidays and weather conditions affect your classes?
My ceramic experiences, generally, are limited to San Diego. Weather is
perfect almost year round...except a little wind around January.
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