Ceramics at SDSU focuses on balancing the traditions of craft with contemporary art issues and current themes within an art context. Students are encouraged to study the full range of possibilities within the ceramics medium, while developing their own aesthetic style and concepts. Students in ceramics can choose to focus on sculptural form or pottery and vessel forms.
The program features several visiting artists each year to offer diverse interactions with students. As ceramics falls within the Applied Design emphasis (which includes jewelry and metals, furniture and woodworking, and fiber arts), the use of multiple media is encouraged when appropriate.
SDSU Ceramics has spacious, well-equipped facilities for hand building, slip casting, and wheel throwing. We have a recently modernized kiln room with twelve computer-controlled Skutt electric kilns of various sizes, and two Geil computer-controlled gas kilns, along with a 90 cu. ft. sculpture kiln. We have just added a delta clay printer to our array of digital technology. Ceramics also has traditional facilities as well: a raku kiln, saggar kiln, two soda kilns, and a wood-fired kiln in our outdoor kiln yard. Other equipment includes a Soldner clay mixer, large de-airing pug mill, ball mills, slab rollers, extruders, slip mixers, and HyperGlaze glaze software.
The SDSU Ceramic Arts Association, a student-run organization, helps to fund and make decisions about extracurricular activities. The student organization supports a visiting artist program or lectures and critiques and workshops by artists who are nationally and internationally known. The organization also provides a well-stocked library of current periodicals and purchases books on technical, aesthetic and safety information.
NCECA (for Ceramics students)
Student Membership
NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) is arguably the most recognized professional organization in the field of ceramic arts. Students are encouraged to join at a discounted rate to gain access to a professional network of ceramic artists, exhibitions, competitions, conferences, and other resources.
About NCECA
“The purpose of NCECA is to promote and improve the ceramic arts through education, research, and creative practice. NCECA offers programs, exhibitions and publications that are uniquely beneficial and rewarding to its membership of artists, educators, students, patrons, retailers and manufacturers. As a dynamic, member-driven organization, NCECA strives to be flexible in its programming and responsive to the changing needs of its constituency….
The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts is a not-for-profit educational organization that provides valuable resources and support for individuals, schools and organizations with an abiding interest in the ceramic arts.
NCECA was founded and developed by forward-thinking ceramic artists who saw the benefits of a professional organization in its ability to create identity, definition and support for the ceramics teacher and artist, and to promote advancement of the ceramic arts….” (read more from NCECA’s website.
