Ceramics
Instructor: Charlie Tefft
The ceramics program at Guilford College offers classes that focus on mixing clay, hand building, throwing, glazing, and firing pottery in a kiln. What truly makes the Guilford ceramics experience special is that students are deeply involved in all aspects of the process, giving them helpful insight into everything that goes into producing their own work.
From the beginning, students are taught to operate the kilns and fire not only their own work, but also work by their fellow classmates. Guilford’s kiln yard, which is located outside and underneath the large trees situated next to Hege-Cox, boasts four different types of kilns, all built by students. Each one has a different effect on the pottery being fired.
Field trips to Seagrove, North Carolina, a nationally celebrated pottery center, expose students to potters working in a range of styles from contemporary to traditional. In addition we have hosted a number of visiting clay artists including Bill Van Gilder, Kevin Crowe, Michael Hunt, and Mr. Kato from Shigaraki, Japan.