Explore key moments within ceramic art history, from Egyptian faience to 17th century portrait plates. We'll begin with a lecture that focuses on historical methods of making and consider the social context from which work was created. Kathy works closely with curators and conservation scientists from the Harvard Art Museum and will present some examples of these collaborations in class. As we consider our past, students will respond by making work that reflects their own contemporary viewpoints. There will be a special focus on surface decoration and treatments, print-transfer techniques, as well as narrative. Students will work with low-fire terra cotta and mid-range porcelain tiles to sample techniques. Slips, underglazes and glazes will allow us to explore numerous surface techniques, including sgraffito, mishima, simple screen printing and print transfer techniques.