Learn about Summer 2025 Pre-College opportunities at UMass Amherst. Our residential and online pre-college programs are designed to give you a preview of the UMass student experience, including college-level academics and being part of a learning community of high school students from all across the U.S. and the world. Our programs feature faculty-led courses, state-of-the-art facilities, and the #1 campus dining in the U.S., as ranked by the Princeton Review. Find out more!
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Introduction to Ceramics - Handbuilding & Throwing Techniques
This Introduction to Ceramics course is designed for high school students to develop skills in handbuilding, throwing, and surface design while building a portfolio for college admissions. Students will learn essential techniques in both ceramic disciplines, including but not limited to wedging, pinching, coiling, slab building, centering, pulling walls, and trimming. This course emphasizes artistic experimentation, encouraging students to explore different themes, motifs, and methods while developing their personal style. Students will refine their technical abilities and engage in group and personal critiques. By the end of the course, students will have a well-rounded portfolio of ceramic work demonstrating their creativity, technical mastery, and personal voice.
Learning Outcomes:
- To develop basic clay construction skills: wedging, pinch, coil, slab, basic surface treatment techniques: sgraffito, mishima, underglaze, and glaze.
- To develop a basic comprehension of the properties of clay and the firing process.
- To introduce basic three-dimensional design concepts and learn how to evaluate art works.
- To gain a general knowledge of ceramic art from contemporary and past sources.
- To develop skills in idea development and planning.
Projects:
- “Body Mug” pinch pot- students will create a pinch pot mug, focusing on form and texture. They can experiment with adding surface designs.
- “Inspired by Nature” Coil vessel- students will design and build a vessel using coils, emphasizing structural integrity and aesthetics.
- Slab Container- students will create a slab box or container, learning about joining techniques and lid design.
- Thrown Vessel - students will create a vessel on the pottery wheel, later applying surface designs such as sgraffito and mishima
Students attending Introduction to Ceramics will receive a materials kit (included in program fees).
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This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus as a residential program. Local students may apply to attend as a commuter.
Cost and Session Information
Dates: July 13 - 26, 2025
Two-Week Residential Intensives: $4,032 residential / $2,387 commuter
*Program fees listed above include tuition and room & board; materials and software may be required.
*All programs require submission of $45 application fee.
Dates: July 13 - 26, 2025
Two-Week Residential Intensives: $3,907 residential / $2,262 commuter
*Program fees listed above include tuition and room & board; materials and software may be required.
*All programs require submission of $45 application fee.
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