Ceramics Education?

[Leigh Ann Black]

Just curious, how many of you have a M.F.A. in Ceramics? I have a degree in architecture & have been out West practicing for many years. I feel like self teaching is the best route for me, but at the same time Matt Long is over the Ole Miss ceramics department...

Have any of you self taught & built a soda kiln based on your own research, drive & passion? Just curious if I am the only one that wants to skip school to spend all my time in my barn working on the wheel.

[Kevin Van Winkle]

I have an MFA from the University of Iowa, only because I wanted to teach at the college level.
I don't see a need for an MFA, to learn about pottery, to be happy making pots or to be a successful studio potter.
Taking some classes at Ole Miss sounds like a good idea. Nothing better than hands on experience, networking and there's always something new to learn.

[Leigh Ann Black]

I just met with a cool, local potter today. He said he will do a bunch of demonstrations for me to learn techniques...and we are building out the barn next week for my studio...

[Keith Phillips]

I have a BFA in Printmaking. Did some assistant work for a ceramic artist in montana, but the rest was book/internet/hands on experience, and a lot of great advice from other potters. I consider myself self taught, however that concept is sort of a myth-leading... it just means I didn't go to school for ceramics or take classes. I built my first soda kiln from homemade castable. All the details/faults/dissappointments/successes are detailed on my blog starting Nov 2007 (http://blog.mudstuffing.com). It should give you some insight into the expense, time etc if you go this route (the self-taught route, not the homemade castable route, which I do not recommend).

Given the money and time, I would have loved to have taken classes at some of the great resources here in western NC. I think the wealth of experience and networking with other artists would have been invaluable, and could have exceeded what I learned on my own for about the same cost.

[LARRY MANNING]

Leigh Ann,Hello.I earned an MFA from Ole Miss in Oxford,Ms.My instructor was Rodger Wood.My thesis was in salt glazing where i built my first salt kiln.Fired beautifully ,later, after i left the grads burnt down the shed and the kiln was gone.I built another salt kiln in 2003.I have worked lately with both salt and soda.Each has it's own beauty.I stiil prefere SALT but,whatever works for your pots.Good wishes and great glazing..Larry Manning. Check out the first GULF COAST CLAY CONFERENCE IN PENSACOLA ,FL. FEB. 11 AND 12TH 2010 WITH JOHN BRITT.

[Michael Kline]

I took my BFA and ran to "the barn". I haven't looked back. I did a three year residency at Penland which I thought of my "graduate school" except without the crits. I've always had plenty of ideas and drive, not to mention passion.

[Eric]

Hi Leigh Ann,

I'm taking the same sort of survey these days and I think I found a criteria that I'll use for making my decision. I've been wandering around arts festivals asking all the potters whether they did the school route or not. I'm judging the work based on a totally subjective "Ooh neat" factor, the all important "I love that" factor, the "I didn't know that was possible" and the "Gosh I wish I could do that" factor, and I'm comparing those gut reactions with the potters' responses on schooling or not, coupled with how long they've been professional.

I am arriving at a conclusion, but just for me. ;) Perhaps the method above can help you settle clearly with your decision?

[Susie Bowman]

I have been struggling with the same question. I came to the conclusion that I can develop my own MFA, just without the paper and less of the cost. I have found people that I want to learn from and have taken workshops. I have a variety of teachers and pick them myself. I also get to digest the info on my own time and take another workshop when I feel I need more info or feel I am getting stale.

The advantage to the MFA would be the paper and the fact that your only job at that time would be research and focusing on self growth. Going to grad school just doesn't work for my life now, the self teaching does.

[Eric]

Another thought: With Youtube, Blogs, and sites like this I have 1000s of teachers just waiting for me to come to class whenever I want. Last night I sat in with Bernard Leach. Tomorrow? Someone I've never heard of. :)

[Leigh Ann Black]

heeey you people are fantastic!

I've made a serious plan for building up my studio. For now I am in the barn. If I can sell a bunch of inventory for Christmas, I will just move in a house in town & set the studio up in a big, extra room.

It's hot & dusty in that barn!

Anyway, I am gonna blow your minds with my holga ware. Just kidding, but I guess anything is possible!

[Edgar L Wright]

Leigh Ann,

I am 50 years old, my college degree is in Earth Science/ Geology. By trade I have been a "Masonry Contractor" or brickmason for 30 years as I worked my way through college and then landed in the masonry business and have been very blessed in this. Now about a year ago I bought my wife a potters wheel and I am the one who seems to have gotten hooked. One thing I have observed in the past years is this; It seems that when a person takes on a new "hobby" or discipline there is a college education in it. What I mean by this is the amount of knowledge/skill that is to be gained will rivel a college degree. I started fishing, I was amazed how much there is to learn to fish well. I farm and people that do this well are truely gifted and savey with knowledge. What is really gratifying to see is a person with much passion to persue and and develope in that passion. I like you am finding much to teach me. I will learn where ever I can. People seem to be very open, the ones who are not seem to be unhappy. I look forward to hopefully watching you journey. Good luck. Ed

[Leigh Ann Black]

Thank you so much. That was so kind. I agree with you 100% & appreciate your point of view. I believe it's the journey that counts. I am young, but I've had some very hard times over the past few years (very hard) & I now understand nothing in life matters other than happiness & love. I am finally learning once you have those everything else just falls into place.

Happy potting!