Professional Clay Certificate and Advanced Professional Clay Certificate

The Professional Clay certificates are designed to prepare individuals for employment as professional potters or for pottery related fields. The Professional Clay program will combine production classes with courses in small business management, entrepreneurship and craft marketing. Using traditional and contemporary concepts, students will learn basic and advanced throwing skills with an emphasis on form and design, as well as a comprehensive understanding of clays, firing techniques, glaze formulation, and glazing and finishing methods. Kiln building and pottery studio design will also be covered.

The Professional Clay studio, located in Edgefield, SC, has been designed to be inviting, comprehensive and conducive to hands-on learning and creativity. Students will have access to a variety of pottery wheels, clay and glaze making equipment, and several different types of kilns, including a traditional ground-hog kiln, and will have an opportunity to highlight their work at special events held in the adjacent gallery.

Students enrolling in the Professional Clay certificate will not need any prior training or classes in the arts, pottery or business to enter the program. Advanced Clay certificate students should have completed the first certificate or have previous experience in pottery throwing and production prior to entry. An interview with the Professional Clay faculty is required for entrance in either certificate.

Last Updated March 27, 2007