Ceramics Studio

In the ceramics studio at UW-Stout, students create slab- and hand-built pottery, and throw on pottery wheels, including both electric and kick-wheels.
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Twenty students can comfortably create in the ceramics studio at a time, beginning with a starter kit of basic tools: metal ribs, Exacto-knives, rolling pins, and sponges.

"Mostly, my hands are my tools," said Lily Lund, teaching assistant.

Now in her fifth year, Lund has spent countless hours in the lab, finishing 50 to 70 pieces every month.

"The ceramics studio has allowed me to grow as an artist and person." said Lund. "I've tapped into who I am through my art. I've built a strong body of work here so I can be a successful artist upon graduation."

Students mix glazes, following original recipes, in the glaze room. A hot room and damp room speed up or slow down the drying process of ceramic pieces before being fired. The kiln room houses a top-loading electric kiln, two front-faced electric kilns, three gas kilns, and a soda kiln. In the mixing area, students mix their clay. And in the advanced students room, a small number of upperclassmen share a private studio space.

“Without each of these independent spaces, we wouldn't be able to do what we do," Lund said.

Students also benefit from holding two pottery sales each semester. Students receive public exposure at pop-up shops at the Furlong Gallery and Senior Show. These sales benefit the Ceramics Guild, a student-run organization and branch of the Fine Arts Association. The guild invites community artists and guild supporters to visit the lab when students meet professional artists who offer lectures, critiques, and demonstrations.

The ceramics studio is open outside of class hours when teaching assistants or an instructor are available.